One reason why the UCLA womens basketball team is 23-8 is because it has a solid offense that averages 73.9 points. But defense, and all that it entails, is probably more responsible.

The Bruins allow only 64 points. They out-rebound opponents by an average of 2.5. They harass teams into 17.5 turnovers per game while committing only 12.1, they average 10.2 steals to just 6.6 for their opponents and they average 5.0 blocks while giving up 2.7.

Its tough to get teams to buy into doing all those little things, because theyre not as sexy as a 3-point basket or a sweet dribble-drive and dazzling finish. Not for No. 4-seeded UCLA, which at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday will take on No. 13 Boise State (25-7) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Pauley Pavilion (on ESPN2).

No. 5 Texas A & M (21-11) and No. 12 Penn (22-7) will tangle after UCLA-Boise State, about 6 p.m., with the winners playing Monday for a berth in the Sweet Sixteen.

According to sixth-year Bruins coach Cori Close and her players, a tremendous team chemistry is why the team just loves doing the dirty work.

Yes, of course, on and off the court, said junior point guard Jordin Canada, who averages 18.0 points, 6.5 assists and 2.5 steals - all team-highs - and 5.3 rebounds. We have a lot of team bonding off the court and that helps us get to know each other more, which makes for a better team on the court.

During practice, we fight for each other and thats what has built our team chemistry over the years.

According to Close, Chemistry is everything.

It helps with execution.

Absolutely, said Close, who a season ago led the Bruins to the first Sweet Sixteen appearance since 1999. I mean, youre in essence, saying, Were going to war together. For the next two hours, we are putting ourselves out on the line and its going to be hard, its going to be difficult, things arent going to go our way.

And if you have a really strong chemistry, you just have a confidence about you that, My teammates got my back.

Close made sure her point was properly received.

I think sometimes when you say team chemistry, you think, Oh, that just means they like each other, like its tea and crumpets or something, she said. Our chemistry is not about tea and crumpets. Its not any Kumbaya, campfire thing.

Its about, Im committed to you. Youre my sister and Ive done the work off the court to know you, Ive done the work to serve you as your teammate. Its sacrificial. And theres a commitment level.

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Junior forward Monique Billings said her teams do-it-all credo is a sign of maturity. She gave an example of how it works.

People arent afraid to challenge each other and just really get in each others faces about what needs to happen, she said. If I mess up on defense, if Im not handling my assignment, Kari (Korver) is going to come up to me and say, Mo, get yourself together. This isnt you.

And Im going to say, OK, because I trust her and she trusts me.

Korver, a senior guard, leads the team in 3-point baskets with 62. But again, this team talks about more than its offense.

We talk about passion plays a lot, which is just 50-50 balls, deflections, just trying to make plays that dont come up on the stat sheet, Korver said. And, hopefully, those are going to be the things that lead to points.

They have, so far.

NCAA

Who: UCLA vs. Boise State

When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.

Where: Pauley Pavilion

TV: ESPN2

Radio. http://www.uclabruins.com

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Great chemistry helps UCLA women's basketball do the dirty work - LA Daily News