UCLA Claims Big Ten Championship, Sets Sights on NCAA Tournament

INDIANAPOLIS – UCLA‘s women’s basketball team clinched the Big Ten tournament championship with a hard-fought victory over USC on Sunday, marking a significant achievement in their inaugural season in the conference.

The match, held at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, saw the Bruins triumph 61-56, showcasing their resilience after losing twice to the Trojans earlier in the regular season. This win highlighted UCLA’s defensive prowess, limiting USC’s star player, who ranks as the second-leading scorer in Division I, to only three field goals in the second half.

“I thought whoever won this game should be the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament,” said UCLA coach Lindsay Gottlieb. The victory strengthened UCLA’s position as they both compete for high seeds in the upcoming NCAA tournament.

UCLA had suffered double-digit losses to USC in both regular season encounters but bounced back with a superior performance when it counted. The Trojans entered the game on a nine-game winning streak, leading at 48-35 halfway through the third quarter before faltering significantly.

UCLA’s defense tightened, allowing the Bruins to capitalize on turnovers and force USC into 22.2% shooting in the second half. Following the game, standout player, who was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, emphasized the importance of this victory heading into March Madness. “The confidence that this team has from winning that game going into March Madness is a lot,” she said.

USC’s coach, Cori Close, noted the mutual respect during the season, adding, “We were No. 1 in the country for 13 weeks. [USC] has shown the steadiness and the quality of their wins. They’re an excellent team and a championship-caliber team.” Close expressed hope for both teams to secure No. 1 seeds in the NCAA tournament.

As both teams prepare for March Madness, they will aim to solidify their placements and potentially meet for a fourth time this season. USC guard reflected on their missed opportunities, stating, “We missed shots that we usually hit… we just need to be better navigating the shooting struggles.”