Los Angeles, LA—Lauren Betts led the way with 22 points, Kiki Rice contributed 16, and third-ranked UCLA surged in the final quarter to secure a 70-55 win over No. 25 Illinois on Thursday evening.
Illinois, which saw its eight-game win streak come to an end, was paced by Adalia McKenzie’s 18 points, while Berry Wallace added 13.
Betts, who missed UCLA’s 75-69 victory over No. 22 Michigan State on Sunday due to a right foot injury, made a significant impact defensively, recording six blocks. This performance gave her 67 blocks for the season, breaking the UCLA single season record previously held by Monique Billings, who had 66 during the 2016-17 season.
Betts, a junior, shot 9-for-18 from the field and grabbed seven rebounds in 34 minutes of play. The Bruins, now 25-1 overall and 13-1 in the Big Ten, are currently just a half-game behind Southern California for the top spot in the conference standings.
With three regular season games remaining, UCLA is on track to secure a double bye for the Big Ten Tournament, which is awarded to the top four teams.
Illinois, now 21-6 overall and 11-5 in the conference, is tied with Maryland for fourth place. After trailing by 15 points early in the second half, the Illini fought back, cutting the deficit to just four points (48-44) with 6:55 left, thanks to a 3-pointer by Bryant.
However, UCLA quickly regained control with an 8-0 run, including five points from Rice, to seal the win.
Betts’ record-breaking performance continues to earn praise, with opposing coaches taking note of her talent.
“I don’t ever want to see her again,” Illinois coach Shauna Green said. “She is a generational player. The best post player in the country, and one of the best, maybe ever.”
In her 34 minutes on the court, Betts displayed excellent movement in the post, showcasing her turnaround shots and up-and-under scoring. Despite the injury, she appeared fully recovered and helped UCLA exploit Illinois’ undersized defenders early on.
UCLA head coach Cori Close noted that the Bruins are still searching for consistency in terms of intensity and focus.
“There’s more enthusiasm in us,” Close said. “I trust their hearts and their work ethic, so we’ve got to figure out what’s getting in the way of that, and that will be imperative before we go to Iowa and play in front of a sold-out crowd.”
At the outset, it seemed the Bruins would dominate, especially with Illinois short-handed, fielding just eight players due to injury. UCLA built a 14-point lead by halftime, their largest of the game. However, Illinois rallied in the second half, out-rebounding the Bruins on the offensive glass, 16-13, and narrowing the deficit to just four points, 43-39, by the end of the third quarter.
Key takeaways:
- Illinois: The Illini, ranked first in the Big Ten for free throw percentage at 79.8%, struggled at the line, shooting just 9-for-16, including 1-for-5 in the first half.
- UCLA: This victory marked the eighth win for the Bruins over a ranked opponent this season.
Key moment: Illinois mounted a late comeback in the third quarter, going on an 11-4 run to cut the lead to four heading into the final frame. McKenzie scored seven points during that stretch.
Key stat: UCLA dominated in the paint, outscoring Illinois 46-24 in points in the paint.
Next up: Both teams are set to play on the road this Sunday. Illinois will face No. 4 Southern California, while UCLA travels to Iowa.
