LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) — Lauren Betts delivered an impressive performance with 22 points, 12 rebounds, and tying a school record with seven blocks as No. 1 UCLA successfully defended their home court against Penn State with a final score of 83-67 on Wednesday night. The game had to be relocated due to the ongoing wildfires wreaking havoc in the Los Angeles area.
Angela Dugalic contributed 11 points, while Kiki Rice and Gabriela Jaquez each added 10 points for UCLA, who now boast a perfect 17-0 record overall and a flawless 6-0 record in the Big Ten conference, marking the best start in school history.
Penn State, led by Gabby Elliott and Talayah Walker with 17 points each, struggled to keep pace with UCLA throughout the game, managing only one win in their last 10 matchups, falling to a 9-9 overall record and 0-7 in conference play.
UCLA dominated from the early stages, building a 23-point lead in the second half. However, Penn State mounted a comeback, narrowing the deficit to 69-62 with 5:41 remaining in the game. Yet, UCLA’s defense clamped down, holding Penn State scoreless in the final 3:27 to secure the victory.
The game was shifted to Long Beach State as a precautionary measure due to the deadly wildfires that have claimed the lives of at least 25 individuals and destroyed numerous structures in the region.
Having not played since January 7 due to cancellations caused by the wildfires, UCLA faced adversity but managed to maintain their winning streak. Northwestern had declined to travel for scheduled road games against UCLA and No. 4 Southern California amidst concerns over the fires.
Key Takeaways:
Penn State’s 15 turnovers proved costly, as UCLA capitalized on these mistakes, converting them into 20 crucial points that ultimately denied Penn State the chance for a significant upset.
UCLA, known for their sharpshooting, struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 7 of 25 (28%) from 3-point range, a departure from their usual efficiency.
Key Moment:
UCLA’s pivotal 16-3 run to close out the first half proved decisive, as they exploited Penn State’s errors to push the tempo and attack the basket effectively.
Key Stat:
UCLA’s impressive ball movement led to 27 assists on 35 made baskets, showcasing their unselfish play. Six different UCLA players recorded at least three assists, with Elina Aarnisalo leading the way with six assists.
Up Next:
Penn State will look to bounce back as they host No. 9 Ohio State on Sunday, aiming to turn their season around. UCLA is set to face off against Baylor in the Coretta Scott King Classic in Newark, New Jersey on Monday.
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