BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — Lauren Betts delivered a standout performance with 25 points and 12 rebounds as top-ranked UCLA dominated Indiana, securing a 73-62 victory in their inaugural visit as a member of the Big Ten Conference. The Bruins, boasting a pristine 15-0 record overall and 4-0 in conference play, maintained control throughout the game after stifling the Hoosiers, who fell to 10-4 overall and 2-1 in the conference, during an eight-minute-plus dry spell starting late in the first quarter.
Betts, shooting an impressive 12 of 16 from the field, notched her ninth double-double of the season. Her contributions were instrumental in UCLA’s commanding lead, which ballooned to as much as 16 points. Kiki Rice also made significant contributions with 12 points, seven assists, and seven rebounds, while Gabriella Jaquez chipped in with 11 points.
On the opposing side, Yarden Garzon led the Hoosiers with 19 points, supported by Chloe Moore-McNeil’s 12-point effort.
UCLA has showcased its dominance by consistently winning games by double digits, with this road victory against a formidable Big Ten opponent serving as another testament to their prowess. Indiana, though posing a challenge in the early stages, struggled to maintain their competitiveness, reminiscent of their earlier loss to North Carolina by 30 points. The Hoosiers’ inability to contain UCLA at home underscores the work ahead for the program.
A pivotal moment in the game occurred when Jaquez converted a steal into a crucial 3-point play at the start of the second quarter, effectively sparking a 13-0 run for the Bruins. This sequence shifted the momentum firmly in favor of UCLA after Indiana had closed the gap to 18-16 at the end of the first quarter.
A telling statistic from the game was Indiana’s meager output in the second quarter, where they managed only one point from a free throw with less than three minutes remaining. The Hoosiers’ struggles on offense, with just five points in the quarter, highlighted their difficulty in generating scoring opportunities against UCLA’s suffocating defense.
Looking ahead, UCLA is set to face Purdue next on Tuesday, continuing their quest for supremacy in the Big Ten. Meanwhile, the Hoosiers will aim to bounce back from this defeat as they prepare to take on Northwestern on Wednesday.
For the latest updates and alerts on the AP Top 25 rankings and women’s college basketball, stay connected with AP’s coverage of the sport.
___
Receive timely notifications and insights on the AP Top 25 rankings throughout the season. Subscribe here.
Stay informed with AP women’s college basketball coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball
