| Women’s Basketball |
|---|
| No.8 Iowa — 65 |
| No.2 UCLA — 88 |
No.2-ranked UCLA Bruins women’s basketball (21-1, 11-0 Big Ten) dominated No.8-ranked Iowa (18-4, 9-2 Big Ten) on Sunday afternoon at Pauley Pavilion, securing an 88-65 victory to extend their winning streak to 15 games and remain perfect in Big Ten play at 11-0.
The Hawkeyes struggled from the opening tip, committing five turnovers in the first quarter and managing just one made field goal over the final four minutes of the period. UCLA began to separate quickly in the second quarter behind a poised offensive stretch from graduate guard Charlisse Leger-Walker, who orchestrated a smooth scoring drive before finding senior guard Kiki Rice streaking in transition for an easy bucket. Moments later, Leger-Walker knocked down a 10-foot jumper to make it 23–14, forcing an Iowa timeout as UCLA seized momentum.
Momentum continued to swing when a flagrant 1 foul on Iowa’s Hannah Stuelke (after contact to the neck of graduate forward Angela Dugalić) followed by a senior guard Gabriela Jaquez finish pushed UCLA into a double-digit lead. From there, the Bruins went to work inside. Sisters senior center Lauren Betts and freshman forward Sienna Bettscq repeatedly established deep position, exposing Iowa’s inability to defend down low. Graduate guard Gianna Kneepkens then capped the half with a buzzer-beater corner three, sending UCLA into the break with firm control.
The Hawkeyes showed some life late, trimming what had been a 22-point deficit down to 13 in the fourth quarter, but every surge was quickly answered. Out of a timeout, Rice buried a timely three to halt the run and stop the bleeding at 69–53. UCLA closed the door from there, executing cleanly down the stretch and ultimately pulling away.
The Bruins (now 21-1 overall) outscored the Hawkeyes 56-26 in the paint while forcing 18 points off turnovers. Dugalić came off the bench to deliver a career-high (and game-high) 22 points and added five steals in a complete two-way performance.
Head coach Cori Close emphasized balance afterwards.
“I’m thrilled for Angela getting a career-high today, but what I’m happy about most is how many different people are stepping up,” Close said. “We’ve got plenty of weapons.”
That balance did indeed show through. Lauren Betts contributed 16 points (despite foul trouble), Rice added 17 points and seven assistscq, Leger-Walker posted 10 pointscq, five reboundscq and five assistscq, and Kneepkens chipped in 10 pointscq along with four assistscq and four rebounds.cq
The Bruins now own 16 wins by 20+ points on the season, and they look to continue their success against Rutgers at home on Wednesday, Feb. 4.
