BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Lauren Betts delivered an impressive performance with 25 points and 12 rebounds, leading the top-ranked UCLA team to a 73-62 victory over Indiana on Saturday. This match marked UCLA’s inaugural appearance as a member of the Big Ten Conference.
The Bruins (15-0, 4-0) managed to maintain control throughout the game, particularly during a crucial stretch in the first half when the Hoosiers (10-4, 2-1) struggled significantly. Indiana went without scoring for over eight minutes, missing five shots and committing seven turnovers during this period, which began towards the end of the first quarter.
Betts was highly efficient, hitting 12 of her 16 attempts from the field, marking her ninth double-double of the season. She helped the Bruins surge early, contributing to three of the team’s initial four baskets, and UCLA established a comfortable lead that reached 16 points at one stage.
In addition to Betts, Kiki Rice contributed with 12 points, 7 assists, and 7 rebounds, while Gabriella Jaquez added 11 points to the team’s tally. For Indiana, Yarden Garzon was the standout performer, leading with 19 points, and Chloe Moore-McNeil chipped in with 12.
Takeaways from the game reveal that UCLA has showcased dominance, winning nearly all their games by double digits, adding to their reputation with this strong performance against a competitive Big Ten opponent that previously claimed a conference title just two seasons ago. On the other hand, the Hoosiers displayed determination in a quarter before experiencing a significant downturn. Though this loss did not echo their 30-point home defeat against North Carolina on November 25, losing at home by a double-digit margin remains a concern for a traditionally strong program.
A key moment in the game occurred when Jaquez turned a steal into a three-point play at the start of the second quarter, just after Indiana had narrowed the gap to 18-16 by the end of the first quarter. This pivotal basket ignited a 13-0 run for the Bruins.
Statistically, the second quarter was particularly troubling for Indiana, as they managed to score their first point with just 2:56 left in the period, finishing the quarter with only five points.
Looking ahead, the Bruins are set to visit Purdue on Tuesday, while the Hoosiers will head to Northwestern on Wednesday.
