The 2025 NCAA Womenโs Tournament tipped off in Los Angeles with a statement win from one of the nationโs top teams. UCLA tops Southern 84-46 in their March Madness debut, setting the tone for what they hope is a deep tournament run.
The top-seeded Bruins wasted no time showing why theyโre a serious contender for this yearโs national championship. Behind standout performances from Lauren Betts, Kiki Rice, and Londynn Jones, the Bruins put on a show at Pauley Pavilion.
With this decisive first-round win, UCLA moves one step closer to reaching their long-awaited Final Fourโand perhaps even more.
March Madness Opener: A Complete Team Effort
From the opening tip, UCLA brought intensity, speed, and purpose. The team entered the NCAA Tournament with a 31-2 record and high expectations after spending 13 weeks ranked No. 1 in the AP Top 25 this season.
They lived up to the hype.
Lauren Betts, the towering 6-foot-7 center, was dominant on both ends. She scored 14 points, grabbed six rebounds, and blocked three shots in just 18 minutes. Her presence in the paint set the tone early and forced Southern to adjust their offense all game long.
UCLAโs size advantage was too much for Southern, a team that had battled hard just to reach this point. But even more than size, it was the Bruinsโ depth, poise, and defensive pressure that turned the game into a runaway win.
Eight different UCLA players scored at least nine points, showcasing the teamโs incredible balance and chemistry.
UCLA Tops Southern 84-46 in March Madness as Pressure Mounts
This yearโs tournament is different for UCLA. Itโs not just about making it out of the first weekend. Itโs about making a Final Four appearance, something the program hasnโt done yet under head coach Cori Close.
But if the Bruins feel the pressure, they certainly didnโt show it Friday night.
Close was animated on the sideline from the opening minutes, making it clear she wasnโt letting her team coastโeven with a comfortable lead.
โI was fired up tonight,โ Close said after the game. โI thought I needed to coach them hard to hold the standard. I understand the expectations. I want my intensity to lead the way of what was important.โ
She made it clear that discipline and consistency would define their tournament ceiling. That attitude echoed in how her players carried themselvesโfocused, locked in, and ready to take on any challenge ahead.
Prepares for Richmond Showdown
With the first win in the books, UCLA now turns its attention to eighth-seeded Richmond, who earned their spot in the second round with a 74-49 win over Georgia Tech.
Richmondโs Maggie Doogan, the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, exploded for 30 points and 15 rebounds in her tournament debut. Sheโll be a tough assignment for UCLAโs defense.
But the Bruins have the personnel and the preparation. Kiki Rice, who added 10 points and seven assists against Southern, said focus is more important than ever.
โThis is when teams can lose focus or think too far ahead,โ Rice said. โWe have to stay locked in on the moment and just keep getting better every game.โ
And thatโs been UCLAโs approach all season. One game at a time. One goal at a time. With the home-court advantage at Pauley Pavilion, theyโll look to advance to the Sweet Sixteen.
UCLA Tops Southern 84-46 in March Madness With Balanced Scoring and Stifling Defense
What stood out most about UCLAโs win was how complete the performance was. The Bruins didnโt rely on one superstar. They used every part of their roster.
Along with Betts and Rice, Londynn Jones added 11 points, and multiple bench players stepped up. That type of depth will be critical in later rounds as the competition stiffens.
Meanwhile, on defense, UCLA made life miserable for Southern. The Bruins held their opponent to just 46 points and forced 16 turnovers. Their size and length made it hard for Southern to get anything going near the basket.
Southernโs leading scorer, Aniya Gourdine, finished with 10 pointsโthe only player in double figures.
Southern head coach Carlos Funchess acknowledged the uphill battle.
โTheir size gave us problems. Itโs hard to score when you canโt get clean looks. But Iโm proud of how our team fought all year to be here.โ
And that fight should be acknowledged. Southern (21-15) had a historic season, winning both the SWAC regular-season and tournament titles, and earning their spot in March Madness by beating UC San Diego in the First Four.
UCLA Tops Southern 84-46 in March Madness โ Betts, Rice, and Jones Set the Pace
UCLAโs stars showed up, but they also showed unselfishness. Betts may have led in scoring, but the ball moved freely, and each player embraced their role.
That kind of team-first attitude is why UCLA is being talked about as a national title contender.
Rice, the sophomore floor general, controlled the tempo. Her seven assists kept the offense flowing. Jones added intensity and pace, while Betts anchored the defense.
If this trio continues to produce while the rest of the bench adds support, UCLA will be very hard to beat.
UCLA Tops Southern 84-46 in March Madness: Bruins Eye Final Four Push
This is UCLAโs third straight NCAA Tournament appearance, and theyโve been building to something bigger.
Under Coach Close, theyโve consistently been among the nationโs top teams. But a Final Four has remained elusive. With this roster, this depth, and this mindset, 2025 might be the year it all comes together.
Thereโs still a long way to go. But if the Bruins can stay healthy, maintain focus, and keep sharing the ball, theyโll be in the mix deep into March.
Their dominant start in the tournament shows theyโre not just here to participate. Theyโre here to make history.
UCLA Tops Southern 84-46 in March Madness: Southern Leaves with Heads Held High
Although Southernโs tournament run ends here, they leave with pride.
This season was about proving they belonged, and they did just that. They showed resilience, winning their conference and fighting through the First Four to get a shot at a top-seeded team.
Even in defeat, they gave effort until the final whistle. Coach Funchess and his players represented the SWAC with dignity and determination.
And for younger players on the roster, this experience could be the building block for future runs.
UCLA Tops Southern 84-46 in March Madness: The Road Ahead
Up next, UCLA vs. Richmond at Pauley Pavilion.
The Bruins will face a team thatโs playing with confidence after a dominant first-round win. But UCLA has been preparing for these moments all season.
With every game, the pressure increases. So does the spotlight. But this is what March Madness is all aboutโrising to the occasion.
The Bruins rose to the moment in their opener. Now, the question is: Can they keep it going?
One thingโs for sure: If they continue playing like they did against Southern, a trip to the Final Four might be more than just a dream.
