Through their first 16 games, the Bruins are on pace for their 2nd best defensive season in franchise history. Led by 2025 Naismith Women’s Defensive Player of the Year, senior center Lauren Betts, they are conceding under 57 points per game.
On Sunday evening at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska, No. 4 UCLA women’s basketball (15-1, 5-0 Big Ten) took down No. 25 Nebraska (14-3, 3-3 Big Ten)83-61. The Bruins have now won nine consecutive games following their early-season defeat at the hands of still-undefeated No. 2 Texas.
With Lauren Betts as the anchor to its unrelenting defense, UCLA held the Cornhuskers to season lows in points and field goal percentage, and forced a season-high 17 turnovers.
Lauren Betts herself logged a career-high five steals and four blocks, two of which came in the opening two minutes of play. This early tone-setter powered a dominant first quarter, as Nebraska was held to just 33% shooting in the opening frame.
Midway through the second quarter, UCLA notched a 14-4 run, thanks to two three-pointers by graduate guard Gianna Kneepkens. The Utah transfer has proven to be a huge addition this season, averaging 14.3 ppg while sinking over 46% of her shots from deep. Kneepkens added 16 against the Cornhuskers on 6-11 shooting.
Throughout the second half, the Bruins consolidated their strong lead, holding on to secure the blowout victory in the end. Graduate guard Charlisse Leger-Walker shone in the latter frame, finishing with 14 points on 4-5 shooting from deep.
UCLA hounded the boards all night, finishing with a +15 total rebound margin and +9 offensive rebound margin. As one of the tallest and most physical teams in the nation, they rank 2nd in total rebound margin this season.
Similar to the defensive side of the ball, Lauren Betts is the anchor to the Bruins’ offense. Though six different Bruins finished in double-digits, Lauren Betts led the team with 18 points and contributed to a +14 points in the paint margin over the Cornhuskers. After a slow start to the season, by her standards, she is settling in comfortably, averaging a 20 and 10 double-double over the last seven games.
Also impressive in the victory was Lauren Betts’s younger sister, Sienna Betts, who has reached double-digits three times now in her first six games. The true freshman missed time at the beginning of her much-anticipated debut season due to a leg injury, but has quickly proven to be a capable rotation piece for a team in need of depth.
Coach Cori Close’s unit has continued its dominant stretch into the new year, winning four consecutive games vs ranked opponents. UCLA will now travel to Minnesota to face the Golden Gophers on Wednesday.
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Featured Image Photographed by Regan Rhodes/BruinLife
