March Madness: Lauren Betts leads UCLA women into | College News

The crowd at Pauley Pavilion rose as one because the seconds ticked down. This second half deserved a standing ovation.

UCLA claimed an 84-67 win over No. 8-seed Richmond within the second spherical of the NCAA match on Sunday, utilizing an prolonged 23-2 run within the third quarter to blow open a close sport and advance to a third consecutive Sweet 16. The match’s No. 1 total seed will face No. 5 Mississippi within the Regional 1 semifinal in Spokane, Wash., on Friday. Mississippi upset No. 4 Baylor 69-63 within the second spherical.

Lauren Betts had 30 factors on 14-of-17 taking pictures with 14 rebounds in a efficiency so dominant that Lakers great Mychal Thompson posted on X that amongst UCLA facilities, the new rankings are 1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 2. Bill Walton and three. Betts.

“She’s an absolute generational player,” coach Cori Close stated.

As Betts dealt with double and triple groups down low, she acquired a enhance from Kiki Rice on the perimeter, the purpose guard ending with 23 factors and 7 assists. The junior has racked up 14 assists to only one turnover in two NCAA match video games and hit a career-high 4 three-pointers Sunday to unlock a new degree of UCLA’s offense that might carry the Bruins to their first Final Four.

“I call her the ‘Point God,’” Betts stated. “She’s really, like, that girl.”

Rice drained two three-pointers within the important third quarter that delighted the group of 6,119. While it was short of the sellout that Close hoped for, the group nonetheless produced what guard Londynn Jones estimated was the loudest second of the yr. The roar after she hit her first three-pointer to put the Bruins up 47-41 with 7:17 remaining within the third quarter was ear-splitting.

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1. UCLA guard Gabriela Jaquez shoots during Sunday’s win over Richmond. 2. UCLA guard Kiki Rice celebrates after making a three-pointer during the second half in opposition to Richmond. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

After the Bruins pressured a shot-clock violation two possessions later, ahead Janiah Barker clenched each fists and waved each arms to the group for more noise. At one level, UCLA gamers couldn’t even hear one another communicate within the huddle.

“Their energy and how they carried us, especially in the third quarter, to bring us that extra boost, we really appreciated that,” Rice stated of the group. “Given that it’s spring break right now, there’s not a ton of students on campus, it means so much for us for so many people to show up.”

UCLA gamers circled the courtroom and saluted followers after they polished off a second consecutive season with only one loss at home. They needed each bit of the group’s vitality to combat off Richmond after the Spiders (28-7) completed the second quarter on a 7-0 run to tie the rating 36-36 by halftime.

Forward Maggie Doogan had 16 factors within the first half and completed with 27 factors, six rebounds and 7 assists. The Atlantic 10 participant of the yr is the best catalyst for Richmond’s high-octane offense that by no means rests. Players slash towards the basket and curl round screens, forcing defenses into troublesome switching eventualities. Each missed defensive rotation was uncovered with an impeccably positioned cross.

The Bruins (32-2) clamped down on Doogan within the third quarter, holding her to simply two factors whereas UCLA outscored the Spiders 29-7.

Although Betts and Rice dominated, the Bruins’ function gamers quietly starred by serving to keep Doogan off stability. Angela Dugalic, a 6-foot-4 ahead, began guarding Doogan. Janiah Barker was first off the bench and had eight rebounds and 4 assists. Timea Gardiner chipped in with 11 factors, together with three three-pointers, and two blocks. Freshman Kendall Dudley, taking part in in solely her second NCAA match sport, had 5 rebounds and three assists.

A transcendent expertise at heart and level guard despatched from the heavens are solely the beginning of UCLA’s championship aspirations.

“We have two big dogs up here, and they do so much for us,” Close stated, sitting on the dais subsequent to Betts and Rice. “But they know that it’s our team that matters, and the selflessness and work ethic that goes along with it.”