Lauren Betts made a triumphant return for the top-ranked UCLA Bruins, leading her team to a dominant 91-54 victory over the Nebraska Cornhuskers in their Big Ten home opener on Sunday. The 6-foot-7 sophomore center, who had missed the previous two games with a leg injury, poured in a game-high 21 points on efficient 9-of-13 shooting.
Betts’ presence was felt immediately as she scored six quick points to help UCLA jump out to an early double-digit lead. Her size and skill proved too much for the undersized Huskers, who had no answer for the preseason All-American in the paint.
Rice Sizzles, Close Reaches Milestone
While Betts stole the show, she had plenty of help from her supporting cast. Freshman point guard Kiki Rice was flawless from the field, making all eight of her shot attempts en route to 18 points, six rebounds, and four steals. The dynamic 5-foot-11 floor general showcased her elite quickness and playmaking ability throughout the contest.
The decisive win also marked a major milestone for Bruins head coach Cori Close, who picked up her 300th career victory at UCLA. Now in her 14th season at the helm, Close has built the program into a perennial powerhouse with Final Four aspirations.
It’s an honor to reach 300 wins, but it’s really a testament to all the incredible young women I’ve had the privilege to coach over the years. Their commitment and passion inspire me every day.
– Coach Cori Close on reaching the 300-win milestone
Undefeated and Undaunted
With the convincing win, UCLA improved to a perfect 13-0 on the season, including a 2-0 mark in Big Ten play. The Bruins have hardly been challenged, winning by an average margin of 26.8 points per game.
Despite their dominance, Close knows her squad can’t afford to get complacent. “We’re always striving to get better,” she remarked after the game. “There are areas we need to clean up, especially taking care of the ball. But I love this team’s focus and hunger to improve each day.”
Road Tests Await
The road ahead only gets tougher for the Bruins, who face a pivotal stretch away from Pauley Pavilion in the coming weeks. Looming large is a January 8th showdown at 5th-ranked Indiana, followed by trips to 21st-ranked Iowa and rival Stanford.
- Upcoming UCLA Road Games:
- Jan 8 – at #5 Indiana
- Jan 14 – at #21 Iowa
- Jan 20 – at Stanford
With a now-healthy Betts manning the middle and a strong supporting cast led by Rice, the battle-tested Bruins appear well-equipped for the challenges that await. Their championship mettle will surely be put to the test, but this is a group that fears no opponent.
The Bottom Line
Make no mistake, the UCLA Bruins have their sights set on cutting down the nets in Dallas come April. With Lauren Betts back to anchor the paint and a roster oozing with talent at every position, they have all the ingredients to make a memorable title run. Expect Coach Close to have her team laser-focused as they embark on the arduous journey through the nation’s deepest conference.
Buckle up, college hoops fans, the Bruins are coming. And they’re on a mission to prove that absolutely no one can slow their roll.
