ANN ARBOR, Mich. — In a tightly contested battle, Lauren Betts emerged as a pivotal player with 16 points, 16 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks, leading No. 2 UCLA to a narrow 69-66 victory over No. 8 Michigan on Sunday.
Despite trailing by 11 points in the closing minutes, Michigan had an opportunity to equalize. However, with only 2.2 seconds on the clock, Syla Swords’ attempt at a three-pointer missed the mark.
UCLA (23-1, 13-0 Big Ten) extended its unbeaten streak to 17 games since a loss to No. 4 Texas in November, solidifying a two-game lead over Michigan (20-4, 11-2) in the conference standings.
During the second and third quarters, the Bruins widened their lead, at one point holding a 13-point advantage. This win marked UCLA’s ninth triumph against an AP Top 25 team, the most in the NCAA.
Michigan’s impressive nine-game winning streak in Big Ten play was halted by UCLA’s seasoned team, known for its formidable defense and spearheaded by the versatile 6-foot-7 preseason All-America center.
Betts showcased her skills, making 8 of 17 field goals, securing rebounds at both ends, and assisting teammates while drawing double teams. Her presence also altered or blocked numerous shots.
Assisting Betts were Kiki Rice with 20 points, Gabriela Jaquez with 13, and Gianna Kneepkens adding 12 for UCLA.
On the Michigan side, Olivia Olson scored 20 points, Mila Holloway added 15, and Te’Yala Delfosse contributed 10 points. Swords struggled, managing only eight points and missing 10 of her 13 attempts.
The game attracted a season-high crowd of 6,108 at Crisler Center, just hours before the Super Bowl festivities began.
Upcoming Games
UCLA will face No. 12 Michigan State on Wednesday, while Michigan heads to Northwestern for a Thursday matchup.
___
Stay updated with alerts and the latest on the AP Top 25 through the season by signing up here and here. For more on AP women’s college basketball, visit this link and this link.
