UCLA Women’s Basketball Celebrates Senior Day
Lauren Betts was visibly emotional, wiping away tears as she prepared to step onto the court for her Senior Day gift. “It’s my mother’s fault,” she laughed, adding a light-hearted touch to the moment.
Sunday afternoon was filled with heartfelt moments at Pauley Pavilion, as the Bruins honored a remarkable group of seniors in women’s basketball. This class is arguably the most talented in the program’s history, and they enjoyed a celebratory farewell after defeating Wisconsin 80-60.
The seniors exited together with just 13 seconds left on the clock, embraced by cheers from the crowd. Gabriella Jaques waved to the fans, while others shared heartfelt hugs.
Coach Cori Close remarked on the unique bond of the six seniors, sharing a sentiment from one of them: “I may never play on a team like this again.”
The Bruins (27-1, 17-0 Big Ten) extended their winning streak to 21 games, lifting the conference regular-season championship trophy—marking UCLA’s first outright title in this category.
“That’s why we all came here: to do something UCLA has never done before, to win a lot of games and a championship,” Jaquez noted.
Close, emotionally proud of her team, expressed her happiness during a courtside interview. “I couldn’t be more proud to be their coach,” she said.
With a win against USC upcoming, the Bruins are on the verge of becoming the first Big Ten team to finish the regular season undefeated since Maryland in 2014-15.
The day’s celebrations began with a warm atmosphere. Each senior was welcomed onto the court by a family member, receiving hugs from Close and her staff, along with bouquets and framed photo collages.
This senior class has produced plenty of unforgettable moments. Kiki Rice and Jaquez are notable for their commitment, having played together for all four years amid the era of the transfer portal. Angela Dugalich spent five years with the team after transferring from Oregon State, including seasons impacted by injury. Betts arrived at UCLA after transferring from Stanford.
Additionally, the class comprises guard Sharice Ledger-Walker, a strong facilitator alongside Rice, and sharp-shooter Gianna Niepkens.
“All morning, I was reflecting on my experience here at UCLA,” Betts shared. “I’m really thankful for the other seniors and how special this experience has been. It was an emotional day because I love them so much.”
With the Bruins set to host the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament as the top seed, there’s a possibility of at least two more home games this season.
The seniors’ journey could extend beyond a month. “We always tell them, the only two things that come out of these four years are who you become and who you impact,” Close explained. “Eventually, the banner will hang in the gym, and the ring will gather dust, but who you become and who you influence will last forever. I think these six understand that and are proud of who they’ve become, wanting to continue to support each other.”
