PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Lauren Betts delivered an impressive performance with 25 points, 13 rebounds, and five blocks, leading the top-ranked UCLA Bruins to a convincing 84-66 victory over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Thursday night.
As a 6-foot-7 forward, Betts has been a dominant force in recent games, racking up a total of 21 blocks in her last three outings with UCLA, who now holds an undefeated record of 19-0 and 7-0 in Big Ten play.
This game marked the first encounter for Rutgers against a top-ranked team since 2014, when they faced UConn twice while part of the American Athletic Conference.
The Scarlet Knights kept the game competitive for about 12 minutes before UCLA started to pull away, largely due to Betts’ contributions. By halftime, the Bruins had established a 45-29 lead, maintaining a comfortable margin throughout the second half, during which Rutgers could not shrink the deficit to less than 14 points.
Destiny Adams was the standout for Rutgers, finishing with 15 points and 13 rebounds.
UCLA’s trip to the East Coast has seen them stay in the area for nearly a week, having defeated No. 25 Baylor in the inaugural Coretta Scott King Classic just days prior. The Bruins faced remote classes earlier due to wildfires in Los Angeles but returned to in-person learning last week. They were able to take part in classes online while traveling.
Key Insights:
UCLA: The Bruins continue to remain one of the two unbeaten teams in NCAA women’s basketball, alongside No. 5 LSU.
Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights find themselves without a win in the conference, putting them at risk of not qualifying for the Big Ten tournament, as only 15 of the 18 teams will make the cut.
Significant Moment:
UCLA initially led 21-16 early in the second quarter before going on a dominating 20-6 run, initiating it with nine consecutive points. Betts was pivotal during this stretch, scoring eight points.
Notable Statistic:
The Bruins showcased solid ball movement, registering 25 assists on their 32 field goals during the game. Most unassisted baskets came from offensive rebounds and putback efforts.
Looking Ahead:
UCLA’s next challenge will be against No. 8 Maryland on Sunday, concluding their East Coast trip. Meanwhile, Rutgers is set to face off against Penn State the same day.
