LOS ANGELES — Timea Gardiner had an impressive performance, scoring a personal best of 23 points, which included 15 points in the opening quarter, as No. 5 UCLA dominated Arkansas with a score of 101-52 on Sunday night.
Gardiner, who transferred from Oregon State, showcased her sharpshooting ability by making a career-high seven shots from beyond the arc. Additionally, Lauren Betts provided strong support with 20 points and 12 rebounds for the Bruins, who improved their record to 4-0 for the season.
Izzy Higginbottom was the top scorer for Arkansas, contributing 15 points in the game. The loss marked the end of a three-game winning streak for the Razorbacks, who now stand at 3-2.
UCLA wasted no time establishing control in the game, jumping out to a 15-3 lead early on, with Gardiner leading the charge by sinking three consecutive three-pointers. Although the Razorbacks managed to narrow the gap to three points, the Bruins responded vigorously, ending the first quarter with a strong 15-4 run.
Throughout the game, UCLA’s defense was unyielding, allowing only 13 points during the third quarter and just 14 in the final quarter.
In observations from the game, Higginbottom has been performing remarkably well since her transfer from Arkansas State, averaging 23.5 points over her initial four games while also minimizing turnovers.
Kiki Rice made her long-awaited season debut for UCLA but did not score in her 11 minutes on the court, contributing two rebounds and one assist after missing the earlier games due to a shoulder injury sustained during preseason practice.
A pivotal moment for Arkansas came in the second quarter when they were outscored 27-9, with Higginbottom being the only player to score for the Razorbacks during that stretch. Arkansas’s tall starter, Vera Ojenuwa, who stands at 6-foot-4, was sidelined early in the period after picking up her third foul. This left them vulnerable against UCLA’s 6-7 Betts, who took advantage by scoring 10 points and helping the Bruins to a commanding 57-25 lead at halftime.
In terms of statistics, UCLA showcased their strength on the boards, dominating the rebounding battle 65-27. They also secured a massive edge on the offensive glass, with 29 rebounds to Arkansas’s 7. Angela Dugalic set a personal best with 15 rebounds, while Janiah Barker contributed with 12 rebounds and both players scored in double digits. Furthermore, the Bruins significantly outscored the Razorbacks in second-chance points 28-11.
Looking ahead, Arkansas will host Oral Roberts on Thursday, while UCLA prepares to face No. 1 South Carolina at home on November 24, concluding a four-game homestand.