UCLA’s Betts Dominates as Bruins Set Tournament Record

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lauren Betts scored 14 points and grabbed six rebounds to lead top-seeded UCLA to an impressive 84-46 win over 16th-seeded Southern in the first round of the women’s NCAA Tournament at Pauley Pavilion on March 21, 2025. This victory was not only a statement on the court but also marked the largest margin of victory in UCLA’s NCAA tournament history.

The Bruins, boasting a record of 31-2, showcased their top overall seed status by dominating Southern, who entered the game after a First Four win against UC San Diego. UCLA’s strong performance follows their recent triumph against archrival Southern California in the Big Ten tournament final.

UCLA’s depth was evident as the team out-rebounded Southern 44-23, effectively suffocating any momentum the Jaguars attempted to build. Coach Cori Close highlighted her team’s ability to play cohesively, noting, “UCLA is a powerful team with great depth.”

Betts’s presence was critical, eliciting praise from teammates. “Teams can’t really guard her,” said UCLA point guard Kaylin Rice, who contributed 10 points and seven assists. “She makes the right plays. I think we got to continue to feed her the ball. It’s difficult for people to game plan for her.”

In addition to Betts’s scoring, she recorded four assists and had zero turnovers, showcasing her controlled play on the court. Despite a handful of turnovers that allowed Southern to cut into UCLA’s lead, Betts quickly rebounded, finishing through a double team to stop the Jaguars’ run. This victory set a new UCLA record for the largest margin in an NCAA tournament game, surpassing the previous mark of 75-43 established against Texas A&M in 2017.

For Southern, Aniya Gourdine led the scoring with 10 points, but the Jaguars struggled against UCLA’s length and skill. Southern guard DaKiyah Sanders encapsulated the challenge faced by her team, remarking, “The Bruins aren’t No. 1 for no reason.”

UCLA is set to host eighth-seeded Richmond in the second round on March 23, as the Spiders won their first NCAA tournament game in program history, defeating Georgia Tech 74-49.

As the Bruins shift focus to their next opponent, they remain optimistic. “Our team is peaking at the right moment, and we are ready for the challenges ahead,” Close said of her squad’s upcoming matchup.

The tournament continues to be a transformative experience for Betts, the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and an Associated Press first-team All-American. She expressed her gratitude for the recognition and the support from her teammates. “Everything that goes on… I think truly it’s such a blessing and I’m super grateful,” Betts stated.