UCLA Dominates Tennessee-Martin in Rainbow Wahine Showdown

Impressive Opening Performance

In a commanding display, Lauren Betts led UCLA with 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Gabriela Jaquez scored 17 points to propel the No. 1 Bruins to a decisive 97-37 victory over Tennessee-Martin in the opening matchup of the Rainbow Wahine Showdown on Friday.

The Bruins, now boasting an impressive 6-0 record, maintained control throughout the game, never allowing their opponents to take the lead. UCLA showcased their strong offensive capability with a shooting percentage of 53%, while Tennessee-Martin struggled, managing only 24% from the field.

Key Performances

Betts, a standout junior center at 6-foot-7, achieved her fourth double-double in as many games and her fifth overall of the season. She was supported by Londynn Jones and Timea Gardiner, each contributing 11 points, while Janiah Barker added a solid 10 points, along with seven rebounds and five assists. Remarkably, Jaquez was perfect on the night, hitting all eight of her shot attempts.

Anaya Brown was the top scorer for UT Martin, chipping in seven points. Despite a valiant effort, the Skyhawks fell short against a dominant Bruins squad that out-rebounded them 47-29 and showcased their prowess in the paint with 48 points compared to UT Martin’s 10. UCLA also excelled in bench scoring (54-16) and fastbreak points (23-2), building a substantial 44-20 lead by halftime.

Historical Context

This matchup marked the first time these two teams faced each other on the court. Prior to this game, UCLA had just claimed its first win against a No. 1 ranked team in program history, and they continued to impress with five players scoring in double digits against the Skyhawks.

On the other hand, UT Martin, previously a participant in the NCAA Tournament, was anticipated to perform well this season, having been projected to finish second in the Ohio Valley Conference. However, this loss extended their unfortunate streak to 0-46 against ranked opponents historically.

Turning Point

A notable moment in the game occurred when UT Martin executed a 7-0 scoring run, narrowing the deficit to just 10-9 with Kenley McCain’s jumper. However, UCLA quickly responded with an 11-0 run, initiating their dominance once again courtesy of a three-pointer from Barker.

Critical Statistics

One of the standout statistics from the game was UCLA capitalizing on Tennessee-Martin’s mistakes, scoring 40 points off the 28 turnovers committed by the Skyhawks, while UT Martin only managed to score four points from 14 UCLA turnovers.

Looking Ahead

Next on the schedule, UCLA is set to face Fresno State on Saturday, while UT Martin will take on tournament-host Hawaii. This upcoming clash will test the resilience of both teams in this competitive environment as they strive to improve their standing in the season.