PARIS — In a thrilling showdown, the fifth-ranked UCLA women’s basketball team edged out the seventeenth-ranked Louisville, securing a 66-59 victory in their season opener held in France on Monday. Lauren Betts was a standout player, contributing 18 points and blocking four shots, while Timea Gardiner added 15 points and Londynn Jones scored 13 for UCLA.

Louisville’s Tajianna Roberts led all scorers with 21 points. The Cardinals began the match strong, establishing an 18-13 lead at the end of the first quarter. However, their offensive efficiency waned as the game progressed, resulting in a struggle to convert scoring opportunities. Louisville struggled with their long-range shooting, hitting just 6 of 29 attempts from beyond the arc, while UCLA fared better, making 8 of 23 shots from three-point range. Gardiner was particularly notable with her five three-pointers, and Jones was flawless from the charity stripe, sinking all four of her free throw attempts.

The Adidas Arena, which has a seating capacity of 8,000 and is the home venue for the men’s Paris Basketball squad, saw slightly over half of its seats filled for the match.

Earlier in the day, the third-ranked Southern California team clinched a close victory against Mississippi, winning 68-66 with a last-second score.

**Key Takeaways**
For UCLA, the strong defensive presence of Betts and Gardiner effectively curtailed Louisville’s quick transitions, while the duo also demonstrated offensive synergy, culminating in Gardiner’s timely three-pointer from the right side late in the game.

Conversely, Louisville showcased moments of effective scoring but failed to maintain the pressure on UCLA consistently throughout the match.

**Moment of Significance**
A pivotal play occurred just before halftime when Betts delivered a cross-court pass to Jones, who nailed a three-pointer at the buzzer. This shot enabled UCLA to take a lead of 32-29 into the locker room, quelling Louisville’s momentum.

**Notable Stat**
Betts’ efficiency was a key factor in the victory, boasting a shooting percentage of 75% by converting 9 of her 12 attempts.

**Next Matchups**
Looking ahead, Louisville is poised to face Southern Indiana on Friday, while UCLA will return home to take on Colgate at Pauley Pavilion on Sunday.