Piscataway, NJ—In an impressive display of skill and physicality, the No. 1 UCLA Bruins (19-0, 7-0) took down the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (8-12, 0-8 Big Ten), 84-66, Thursday night at Jersey Mike’s Arena in front of 3,138 fans.
UCLA opened strong, quickly jumping out to an 8-0 lead, forcing Rutgers head coach Coquese Washington to call an early timeout.
From the tip-off, the Bruins showcased their superiority, shooting 50% from the floor (18-36) and from beyond the arc (7-14). Their early offensive flow was spearheaded by Lauren Betts, who was a dominant force throughout the first half, scoring 12 points from all over the court.
“She is really, really good and she is definitely a main reason why they are No. 1 in the country,” Rutgers coach Washington said. She just finds a way to get to her spots and she’s got a great touch around the basket. She doesn’t miss.”
UCLA’s size advantage was evident early on, as they outmuscled Rutgers on the boards, finishing the first half with a 25-17 rebounding edge and taking advantage of second and third-chance opportunities.
At the break, UCLA led 45-29, with the game shaping up to be a battle of contrasting styles. While the Bruins looked to control the pace and impose their physicality, Rutgers had some moments of individual brilliance.
Destiny Adams kept the Scarlet Knights in the game, scoring 13 points before halftime, aggressively taking the ball to the hole and providing a spark for her team.
However, the second half would see UCLA pull away. Despite a few turnovers that allowed Rutgers to convert quickly in transition, the Bruins settled down and extended their lead. By the end of the third quarter, UCLA was comfortably ahead 68-48, and the game was effectively out of reach for the Scarlet Knights.
Betts, the standout of the night, finished with 25 points and 13 rebounds, showcasing her versatility and dominance on both ends of the floor. Londynn Jones contributed with 12 points, while Angela Dugalic chipped in 11, providing the Bruins with balanced scoring throughout. UCLA’s length and physicality were simply too much for Rutgers to overcome, as they wore down the Scarlet Knights in the game’s final minutes.
For Rutgers, Kiyomi Miller led the way with 17 points and 4 assists, while Adams finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Jojo Lacey also played well, adding 14 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the relentless attack of the Bruins.
“I just had a wonderful thrill to be able to tell coach Stringer what an example she’s been to me through the years,” UCLA coach Cori Close said. About caring about kids and their hearts and having a deep impact.”
As the final buzzer sounded, it was clear that UCLA’s size, shooting efficiency, and defensive pressure were the key factors in their dominant victory. The Bruins proved once again why they are the top-ranked team in the nation, maintaining their status as a true powerhouse in women’s college basketball.
