In front of an electrified crowd at Pauley Pavilion, the No. 1-seeded UCLA Bruins punched their ticket to the Sweet 16 with a dominant 84-67 victory over the Richmond Spiders. Led by the dynamic duo of Lauren Betts and Kiki Rice, the Bruins overcame a tough challenge from Richmond to continue their NCAA Tournament journey.
This will be the third consecutive Sweet 16 appearance for UCLA under head coach Cori Close, as the program continues to establish itself as a powerhouse in women’s college basketball. With a record-breaking regular season and the No. 1 overall seed, the Bruins have their sights set on making history.
Betts and Rice Dominate on Offense
Junior center Lauren Betts delivered one of her most dominant performances of the season, posting a game-high 30 points on an efficient 14-of-17 shooting, while also grabbing 14 rebounds for her 17th double-double of the year. Her presence in the paint was too much for the Spiders to handle, as she consistently found ways to score and control the glass.
“I just wanted to come in and be aggressive,” Betts said postgame. “My teammates put me in great positions, and I knew I had to deliver.”
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Kiki Rice had an all-around stellar performance, putting up 23 points along with seven assists and three rebounds. She had a career-high of four three-point shots.
Her ability to knock down outside shots provided a major boost to the offensive attack of UCLA.
Head coach Cori Close emphasized the importance of the shooting confidence that Rice displayed.
“We told her, you got to do it more. She gets taken out if she doesn’t shoot it,” Close said. “The light was bright on her shot tonight.”
Rice growing as a shooter has been a focal point for the Bruins all season, and her willingness to step up in big moments is a testament to her development.
The Strong Effort of Richmond Falls Short
Despite the final score, Richmond (28-6) put up a fight, shooting an impressive 51 percent from the floor and nearly matching UCLA in points in the paint (36-34). The Spiders moved the ball well and found open shots, but ultimately UCLA stopped them with their defensive intensity and star power.
“We knew we had to make it hard for them,” UCLA guard Kiki Rice said. “They’re a really well-coached team, so we had to stay locked in.”
Richmond head coach Aaron Roussell and Cori Close shared a moment of mutual respect after the game, reflecting on the challenges of March Madness.
“There’s nothing like having comrades in this business,” Close said, acknowledging the hard-fought effort from the Spiders.
Defense and Crowd Energy Propel Bruins
While offensive firepower of UCLA was on full display, their defensive energy—fueled by a passionate home crowd—was just as crucial. The Bruins forced 14 turnovers.
“I loved the crowd, how they got behind that intensity,” Close said. “I thought that was a really big deal. We needed that energy. For them to get so excited about how we were defending made all the difference in the world.”
The UCLA frontcourt was another key factor in the win. The trio of Timea Gardiner, Angela Dugalic, and Janiah Barker provided a defensive presence inside, making it difficult for Richmond to establish a consistent post game.
“Our ability to rotate big threes and fours in Times Gardiner, Angela Dugalic, and Janiah Barker causes problems,” Close added.
Looking Ahead to the Sweet 16
With this victory, UCLA (32-2) moves on to face No. 4-seeded Ole Miss, who secured their Sweet 16 berth with a hard-fought 69-63 win over Baylor. The Bruins, ranked No. 1 in the country for the first time in program history, continue their quest for a Final Four appearance.
“This is what we’ve worked for all season,” Betts said. “We know every game is going to be a battle, and we’re ready for it.”
While Betts and Rice have been the stars, Close knows that it will take a complete team effort to keep their championship hopes alive.
“It’s going to be someone different all the time,” she said. “That’s what makes this team special.”
With their depth, defensive tenacity, and an energized fan base behind them, the Bruins look poised to make a deep tournament run. But as Close and her squad know all too well, nothing comes easy in March Madness. Their next test awaits in the Sweet 16, where they hope to take another step closer to their ultimate goal—a national championship.
