With each successful shot and every thankful glance exchanged on the court, the UCLA women’s basketball team managed to turn things around, unlike their early struggle just two days prior.
They were out to prove a point, determined to have a strong showing in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Bruins wasted no time asserting their authority, quickly building momentum against Oklahoma State.
They kicked things off when Lauren Betts assisted Charliss Leger-Walker for a 3-pointer during the first few minutes, marking the beginning of a scoring spree.
UCLA established a double-digit lead early and finished the first quarter strong, scoring 10 consecutive points. Their 87-68 triumph over the No. 8 seed Cowgirls at Pauley Pavilion stood in stark contrast to a shaky start they had in the first round against Cal Baptist.
At one point during the game, they led by 20 points, even managing to endure a quiet spell in the third quarter when Oklahoma State narrowed the gap to 13.
Despite the Cowgirls’ effort to catch up, they fell short. Leger-Walker made a layup, and Betts celebrated a follow-up bucket, which she was fouled on.
Betts had an outstanding game, racking up a career-high of 35 points on 15-of-19 shooting before exiting with just a minute left.
While not flawless, UCLA (33-1) was edging closer to their 27th consecutive win, setting a new record for the program.
What It Means
This game was particularly significant as it marked the final home appearance for the sixth graders on the team, who have an impressive 61-5 record over the last four years.
The Bruins finished the season perfectly at home, going 16-0 in Pauley Pavilion.
Gabriela Jaques dribbled away the final seconds, pausing to wave at the thrilled crowd.
Turning Point
There had been some chatter regarding UCLA’s shaky start against California Baptist, but they came out wanting to prove themselves.
Their dominance was not simply due to early scoring; a strong defense pressured Oklahoma State (24-10) into four turnovers quickly.
After Gianna Kniepkens hit two back-to-back 3-pointers, the Bruins took an 11-point lead, setting the tone for the rest of the game.
MVP
As expected, the 6-foot-7 Betts towered over her defenders, showcasing her skills effectively.
She was particularly formidable in the third quarter, contributing significantly as the score remained tight.
In that quarter alone, Betts scored 11 points, shooting efficiently and adding four rebounds and an assist to her tally.
She ended the game with career-high points along with nine rebounds, five assists, and one block and steal.
To the Next
The Bruins are set to face the No. 4 seed Minnesota State in the regional semifinals on Friday at the Golden 1 Center. Earlier in the season, UCLA defeated the Golden Gophers by 18 points in Minneapolis.
