ANAHEIM — It took a moment to settle down the first-game energy at the Honda Center.

But once the UCLA women’s basketball team found its footing, brushing aside its four turnovers in the first quarter, there was no question as to why many believe the Bruins can return to the Final Four – or push for more – this season.

Third-ranked UCLA (1-0) could be special if each cog in the Bruins’ machine churns a little faster and more efficiently than it did Monday night in a comfortable, yet not entirely dominant, 77-53 victory over San Diego State in the season opener for both teams, billed as the Orange County Hoops Classic.

Senior center Lauren Betts battled double-teams to finished with a game-high 21 points (11 in the first half) on 9-of-12 shooting. Gabriela Jaquez, an X-Factor senior guar

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