NEWARK, N.J. — In a remarkable performance at the inaugural Coretta Scott King Classic, Lauren Betts shone brightly for No. 1 UCLA, contributing 24 points, nine rebounds, and a school-record nine blocks to propel her team to a 72-57 victory over the 25th-ranked Baylor.
The event, which also showcased a matchup between No. 7 Texas and eighth-ranked Maryland, was dedicated to honoring the legacy of Coretta Scott King and promoting female empowerment in the world of sports. This marks a significant moment as it is the first sporting event to carry the names of both the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King.
UCLA (18-0) quickly gained the upper hand, establishing a double-digit lead early in the game. Although Baylor (16-4) managed to close the gap to five points on several occasions, they were unable to maintain momentum, as Betts and her Bruins consistently responded with strong plays.
Midway through the third quarter, UCLA held a 41-36 lead before scoring six consecutive points to restore their lead to double digits. From that point on, Baylor struggled to come within single digits for the remainder of the game.
Yaya Felder was the standout for Baylor, scoring 10 points.
A pivotal moment came when UCLA scored 17 of the first 19 points in the game, establishing a commanding early lead.
In terms of statistics, Lauren Betts set a new school record for blocks, surpassing the previous record of seven that she had shared with Corinne Costa. Betts reached this mark just last week in a game against Penn State, while Costa achieved it four times from 2011 to 2014.
The implications of this game are significant for both teams. UCLA remains one of only two undefeated teams in Division I women’s basketball, alongside No. 5 LSU, and will continue their journey on the East Coast, facing Rutgers and later Maryland.
On the other hand, Baylor re-entered the Top 25 for the first time since the beginning of the season and may face challenges ahead, especially as they look to secure another win against No. 9 TCU on Sunday to maintain their ranking.
In their upcoming games, UCLA will visit Rutgers on Thursday, while Baylor is set to confront TCU on Sunday.