Lauren Betts Powers UCLA to Elite Eight with Dominant Performance

SPOKANE, Wash. — Lauren Betts showcased her extraordinary talent on Friday night, as the UCLA Bruins defeated the Ole Miss Rebels 76-62 in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. Betts notched her second consecutive game of over 30 points, scoring 31 while also grabbing 10 rebounds and blocking three shots.

Betts’ incredible efficiency was highlighted by her remarkable shooting performance, making 15 of 16 attempts from the field, with her only miss occurring in the closing seconds of the second quarter. “That’s insane,” Betts said of her statistics after the game. “Honestly, I feel like ever since our loss to USC on March 1, I’ve just completely changed my mindset going forward, just being aggressive no matter what.”

With this victory, the top-seeded Bruins advanced to the Elite Eight where they are set to face the No. 2 seed LSU. Betts’ strategy on the court was to establish depth and maneuver around her defender, whether in the post or by setting screens for her teammates. This plan worked effectively, as junior point guard Kiki Rice capitalized on the openings Betts created.

“We’re not going to stop going to something that keeps working,” teammate Gabriela Jaquez remarked. “So they couldn’t stop her, keep throwing it to her. Don’t fix what’s not broken. Keep doing that, and we did, and it worked.”

As the game continued, Betts’ presence became increasingly demoralizing for Ole Miss, who struggled against her defensive capabilities. The Rebels shot only 32.4 percent from the field and found it challenging to score against Betts, who severely limited their attempts in the paint. According to ESPN Stats and Info, Ole Miss managed to make just 2 of 13 shots against Betts while she was the primary defender.

Despite the intense pressure she faced, Betts remained poised, consistently making the best decisions during pivotal moments in the game. Coach Cori Close praised her work ethic and growth this season, emphasizing that Betts is equipped physically and mentally to dominate at this level.

“She’s just an amazing player on both sides of the ball, and she makes everybody else around her better,” Close said of Betts. Her performance is not only a testament to her skills but also an encouragement for UCLA, marking their first Elite Eight appearance in seven years with a chance to reach the Final Four for the first time in history.

Rebels coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin acknowledged Betts’ impact, stating, “She is everything as advertised. Every time they got in a bind, they threw it to her. That is a luxury.” As further matchups approach, the challenge remains: who can stop Lauren Betts?