COLLEGE PARK, Md. — In a commanding performance, Lauren Betts achieved a personal best by scoring 33 points, and Kiki Rice contributed 19 to help No. 1 UCLA secure an 82-67 victory over No. 8 Maryland on Sunday.
The Bruins improved to an impressive record of 20-0, with an 8-0 standing in the Big Ten. This win marks their 19th consecutive triumph, all by margins of 10 points or more.
Meanwhile, Saylor Poffenbarger led the Terrapins with 18 points, as Maryland now faces a three-game losing streak. They were without their second-leading scorer, Shyanne Sellers, who is sidelined for the second straight game due to a knee injury.
UCLA exploited Maryland’s defense effectively, particularly through Betts, who received entry passes in the low post with ease and converted them into baskets. The 6-foot-7 junior had a stellar start, netting 14 points in the first quarter and reaching a total of 24 by halftime. She set a new career record when she scored two free throws with 4:31 remaining, surpassing her previous high of 31 points.
Betts finished the game with a remarkable shooting percentage of 93.3%, hitting 14 of her 15 shot attempts—a new school record for accuracy with at least 15 tries. This achievement broke the previous record of 88.9% set by Denise Curry against LSU in 1979. Additionally, Betts gathered seven rebounds and blocked four shots.
The loss marks the tenth consecutive defeat for Maryland against top-ranked teams since their victory over North Carolina in the 2006 NCAA semifinals, a win that led to their sole national championship.
In terms of performance metrics, UCLA has not found themselves trailing in the second half of any conference match and has outscored Big Ten opponents by an average of nearly 20 points in wins. Maryland, on the other hand, has struggled with ball control, exacerbated by the absence of Sellers and Bri McDaniel, who suffered a season-ending injury. Over the past three games, the Terrapins have averaged an alarming 20.7 turnovers, including 18 in this latest matchup against UCLA.
A pivotal moment in the game came when Betts scored a layup, followed by a fastbreak basket from Gabriela Jaquez, which extended UCLA’s lead to 43-34 early in the second half. Following a timeout from Maryland, the Bruins maintained a safe lead for the remainder of the game, never allowing the deficit to drop below seven points.
Key statistics from the game showcase UCLA’s efficiency, registering 22 assists on 30 field goals while Maryland matched their season low with just seven assists on 25 field goals.
Looking ahead, UCLA will enjoy a week off before their next game at home against Minnesota on February 2. Meanwhile, Maryland will head to Penn State for their next confrontation on Wednesday.
