In their quest for victory at the Big Ten Tournament, UCLA’s Coach Cori Close issued a call to action for her team: to show up tougher and more determined than they had been in their recent matchup against USC. This challenge became the catalyst for a remarkable turnaround in the championship game, held on Sunday.
UCLA demonstrated resilience, overcoming significant obstacles such as foul trouble, a deficit in rebounds, 24 turnovers, and their star player’s struggle in the first half. Despite these hurdles, they managed to surmount a 13-point gap to edge past No. 2 USC with a final score of 72-67, securing their first Big Ten tournament title.
All-American center Lauren Betts, who was honored as the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, expressed her disbelief and joy after the game, stating, “I’m kind of speechless right now.” Her performance, along with the hard work put in by the team behind the scenes, was evident as the Bruins celebrated their triumph in Indianapolis just days after a discouraging loss to the Trojans on their home court.
The strategy to overcome USC, who had claimed victories in their previous encounters during the regular season, involved a shift from individual play to a more collective effort. As Betts, along with teammates like Gabriela Jaquez and Angela Dugalic, reevaluated their approach, they found success in teamwork.
Coach Close acknowledged the team’s difficulties during the initial quarters, explaining, “We lost the first two quarters. Every rebound got taken out of our hands, we didn’t get to the 50-50 balls, we didn’t win the toughness battle.” However, the halftime discussions revealed a focused and determined team ready to reverse their fortunes.
The Bruins responded energetically after USC began the second half with a three-pointer, extending their lead to 48-35. The Trojans, who were on a nine-game winning streak, managed only six more points in the third quarter and went without a basket for a substantial 13-minute segment leading into the fourth.
Betts, who struggled initially with just four points and two rebounds, turned her game around in the second half, finding success with all five shot attempts and three free throws, while also enhancing her defensive play with rebounds, steals, and blocks. Her final stats included 17 points, five rebounds, four blocks, and four steals, pivotal elements in UCLA’s victory.
Betts credited her success to exploiting her matchup, saying, “I was just trying my best to get deep seal and putting myself in position to score.” Her determination was matched by teammates Londynn Jones, Kiki Rice, and Gabriela Jaquez, who maintained their fearless play despite foul troubles.
The Bruins prevailed despite being at a disadvantage in key areas: they had more turnovers (24-19), were outrebounded (38-27), and struggled on the offensive glass (losing 21-4). However, their resolve and fearlessness were enough to overcome these challenges, fulfilling Close’s vision.
Coach Close reflected on the team’s growth, remarking, “I just want them to be the best version of themselves.” The game demonstrated their ability to adapt and win in unpredictable ways, shining brightly in the face of adversity.
