Kiki Rice scored the opening basket after UCLA won the tipoff. A few minutes into the first quarter, Ohio State took the lead, forcing UCLA to fight to regain control. Timea Gardiner broke through Ohio State’s defense to make the first three-pointer of the game for the Bruins. Soon after, Londynn Jones hit another three-pointer, drawing loud cheers from fans at Pauley Pavilion. With the Bruins still trailing behind, Angela Dugalic sank a three-pointer to tie the game. As the first quarter came to a close, Elina Aarnisalo made both of her free throws, allowing UCLA to take the lead.
The Bruins had a quiet second quarter as they struggled with a scoring drought. With one minute remaining in the quarter, UCLA hadn’t scored in three minutes and had made only one of their last eight field-goal attempts. Lauren Betts broke the drought in the final minute of the first half. Meanwhile, Ohio State also experienced a significant scoring drought. Despite the slow pace, the Bruins maintained their lead throughout the second quarter, heading into halftime up 30-24.
![UCLA fans cheer loudly during the final three minutes of the fourth quarter as the Bruins lead 63-45.
Photographed by Ryan Zhang/BruinLife.](https://bruinlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/DSC_0225-1024x682.jpg)
UCLA fans cheer loudly during the final three minutes of the fourth quarter as the Bruins lead 63-45.
Photographed by Ryan Zhang/BruinLife.
![UCLA’s Kiki Rice pulls up in the paint over the Ohio State defense. Rice, a junior guard, wears number one for the Bruins.
Photographed by Ryan Zhang/BruinLife](https://bruinlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/DSC_0305-1024x682.jpg)
UCLA’s Kiki Rice pulls up in the paint over the Ohio State defense. Rice, a junior guard, wears number one for the Bruins.
Photographed by Ryan Zhang/BruinLife
As the third quarter got underway, Jones picked up her third personal foul of the night. Throughout the quarter, UCLA held on to a narrow lead over the Buckeyes. With three minutes remaining, the Bruins were ahead by just two points. They finished the quarter clinging to a 44-42 lead.
While the fourth quarter began with the Buckeyes tying the game, Rice responded by sinking both of her free throws. Moments later, she got the ball and sprinted down the court for a layup. The middle of the fourth quarter proved to be UCLA’s strongest point, as they put up 15 unanswered points against their opponents, growing their lead to 18 points. Gabriela Jaquez took control in the final minutes, scoring a three-pointer followed by two more baskets, bringing fans to their feet. The Bruins closed out the game with a 65-52 victory over the Buckeyes.
UCLA now prepares for a two-game road trip, facing Oregon on Sunday and their crosstown rival, USC, on Thursday.
![Cotie McMahon attempts a pull-up jumper over UCLA's Janiah Barker. Photographed by Ryan Zhang/BruinLife.](https://bruinlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/DSCF7454-1024x683.jpg)
Cotie McMahon attempts a pull-up jumper over UCLA's Janiah Barker. Photographed by Ryan Zhang/BruinLife.
![Ajae Petty weaves through the defense to attempt a layup over UCLA's defense. Photographed by Ryan Zhang/BruinLife.](https://bruinlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/DSCF7498-1024x682.jpg)
Ajae Petty weaves through the defense to attempt a layup over UCLA's defense. Photographed by Ryan Zhang/BruinLife.