The No. 3 UCLA women’s basketball team (8-1) hosted the No. 14 Tennessee Volunteers (5-2) at Pauley Pavilion on Sunday afternoon, just three days after blowing out Duke. The Bruins brought that momentum back to defeat the Vols 99-77, led by strong performances from UCLA’s guards.
UCLA’s senior center Lauren Betts won the opening tip and wasted no time, scoring the first basket of the afternoon with a layup. Tennessee answered quickly with a layup from Alyssa Latham to get on the board. A few possessions later, Bruins’ senior guard Gabriela Jaquez jumped a passing lane, sprinted down the court and drilled a three for her first points of the game. Tennessee continued to push back, staying with UCLA on the scoreboard behind a strong early stretch from Janiah Barker. However, Jaquez remained hot for the Bruins, knocking down another three and converting at the free throw line in the final minutes of the first quarter.
Tennessee’s Barker opened the second quarter with a three of her own, but UCLA quickly answered. Jaquez kept finding open space, and the Bruins continued to locate her as she buried three straight jumpers, staying red hot and extending the lead. UCLA shot an impressive 52.9% from the field and 60% from three in the quarter. Jaquez led all scorers at the break with 19 points, while senior guard Kiki Rice added seven points and seven rebounds. The Bruins headed into halftime with a 49-39 lead over the Volunteers.
Tennessee’s Zee Spearman opened the third quarter with a layup, hoping to start a comeback, but UCLA responded immediately with a strong post move from Betts. Graduate guard Gianna Kneepkens then caught fire, knocking down multiple jumpers as the Bruins stretched the lead to as many as 20 points. Kneepkens and Jaquez were relentless, closing the quarter with UCLA ahead 76-56. By the end of the quarter, Jaquez was already up to 27 points, passing her previous season high of 23.
Photographed by Regan Rhodes/BruinLife.
The Bruins looked sloppy to start the fourth, giving up a 7-0 run that forced a timeout. However, UCLA settled back in, converting a couple of layups and tightening up defensively. Tennessee looked gassed after their early push, and the Bruins capitalized to take the lead to 20 points once again, fueled by another strong stretch Kneepkens. Jaquez checked out shortly after, finishing with a season high 29 points, three rebounds and three assists.
UCLA went on to defeat Tennessee, extending its win streak to two. The Bruins will look to keep that momentum rolling when as they host Oregon on Dec. 7 at noon.
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Featured Image Photographed by Regan Rhodes/BruinLife
