Los Angeles – In a commanding performance, Janiah Barker scored 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, while teammate Lauren Betts contributed 17 points and 12 rebounds, leading the No. 5 ranked UCLA women’s basketball team to a decisive 91-54 victory over Pepperdine on Tuesday evening.

The Bruins, now with a perfect record of 3-0, opened the contest with an impressive 18-0 run. Ornela Muca, who emerged as Pepperdine’s leading scorer with 20 points, finally halted the scoring spree by nailing a three-pointer.

Betts showcased her shooting efficiency, going a perfect six for six during the first half and remained flawless until the third quarter.

UCLA dominated the boards, finishing with an overwhelming 56-22 advantage in rebounds.

Looking into the takeaways from the game: For Pepperdine, under the guidance of new coach Katie Faulkner, there is much to be learned, especially highlighted by the challenge they faced against UCLA’s relentless defense. The tough competition they faced could serve them well as they prepare for the West Coast Conference schedule.

For UCLA, this matchup was not seen as a potential upset. The Bruins maintained control throughout the game, demonstrating proficiency in all areas to uphold their undefeated status.

The key moment of the game came when UCLA exploded off the starting line despite the unusual timing of an early weekday match. Betts’s dominance in the paint was evident as she scored on a putback and drew a foul for a three-point play, pushing the score to a commanding 18-0 lead.

A crucial statistic from the game highlights Pepperdine’s slow start, where they missed 12 of their first 16 shot attempts. With Betts effectively scoring inside, a poor shooting performance was detrimental for the Waves, who ultimately finished the night with a shooting percentage of just 30.5%.

Looking ahead, UCLA will host Arkansas on Sunday night, while Pepperdine is set to visit California Baptist on Saturday afternoon.