LOS ANGELES — In a gripping showdown, Lauren Betts put forth an impressive performance with 19 points and 14 rebounds, while Gabriela Jaquez contributed 17. The top-ranked UCLA Bruins extended their winning streak, overpowering the eighth-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes for a 65-52 triumph on Wednesday night.
With this victory, the Bruins maintained their undefeated status in Division I, boasting a remarkable 22-0 record, including a perfect 10-0 in Big Ten play. This achievement also marked a historic moment for the program, as they established the longest winning streak in school history, surpassing the previous record of 21 set during the 1977-78 season.
On the other side, Jaloni Cambridge stood out for Ohio State (20-2, 9-2) by leading the team with 21 points, while Cotie McMahon added 14 points to the scoreline.
The Buckeyes found themselves trailing 30-24 at halftime but made a valiant effort to come back, eventually tying the game at 44-44 just 34 seconds into the final quarter after Cambridge’s layup. However, the Bruins quickly responded with an impressive 19-1 run, pulling ahead decisively, during which Jaquez scored nine points.
In the first half alone, Betts managed to score 13 points and secure 10 rebounds, marking the first time in her junior career that she achieved a double-double by halftime.
For Ohio State, the game was challenging as they shot only 20 of 68 from the field, resulting in a 29.4% shooting percentage—their lowest of the season. Meanwhile, UCLA dominated the boards during the fourth quarter, out-rebounding the Buckeyes 13-2, with Jaquez pulling down three of her six rebounds during that crucial period.
A pivotal moment in the game came when Kiki Rice sank two free throws to give UCLA a 46-44 lead. Subsequently, Jaquez made a critical steal and assisted Rice on a layup, widening the Bruins’ advantage to more than a single basket.
Despite encountering challenges with ball control, committing a season-high 23 turnovers (14 of which occurred in the first half), UCLA still managed to secure the win. This was notable as they have had nine games this season where they maintained fewer than 14 turnovers in total.
Looking ahead, Ohio State is set to face No. 7 Southern California in a nationally televised game on Saturday night, while UCLA will be traveling to Oregon for their matchup on Sunday.
