Coming off a win against Ohio State, the No.4 ranked UCLA women’s basketball team (13-1, 3-0 Big Ten) delivered a crushing win against Penn State (7-7, 0-3 Big Ten) at Rec Hall in Pennsylvania.
The game opened with UCLA in pursuit, as senior guard Kiki Rice set the tone with a three-point jumper on the fast break. Following this, senior center Lauren Betts brought in two points from the free throw line and soon enough, the quarter ended with UCLA in the lead with 29-12.
As the second quarter began, Penn State came in with a jumper bringing the total to 29-14. Taking back the charge, Betts scored with a layup straight in the basket. The Bruins kept their eye on the basket and finished the quarter leading 46-23.
UCLA kept their fire and strength throughout the third quarter, as graduate guard Gianna Kneepkens and senior forward Gabriela Jaquez both scored layups within the first few minutes. This caused Penn State to make several substitutions.
As UCLA headed into the last quarter, Betts brought in the first basket with an assist from Kneepkens. Betts continued with fast feet, breaking the silence with a layup for the Bruins. Despite a respectable effort from Penn State, the Bruins brought delivered a comfortable 97-61 victory on New Years Eve.
The Bruins will be facing cross-town rivals USC at Pauley Pavilion on Jan. 3 at 5 p.m.
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Featured Image Photographed by Regan Rhodes/BruinLife
