The UCLA Lady Bruins left no doubt in their opening-round matchup of the NCAA tournament, steamrolling the Southern Jaguars with a commanding 84-46 victory. Head coach Cori Close made it clear before the game: “We’re playing to win. Success leaves clues.” Her team delivered on that mindset, showing poise, depth, and dominance from start to finish.
Balanced Attack Fuels Success for Bruins
A major strength for UCLA this season has been its depth, and Friday night was no exception. Six Bruins scored in double figures, with two more contributing nine points each. The balanced scoring attack kept the Jaguars on their heels all game.
Janiah Barker led the charge with a double-double—10 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists—while setting the tone physically. For Barker, the physicality of the game felt familiar.
“This game brought me back to my SEC days,” said Barker, a former Texas A&M standout. “When I play more physical teams, I get more physical. When we play teams like USC and Baylor, it’s the SEC in me that’s ready to come out. I’m just figuring out when to use it and when not to overdo it.”
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Londynn Jones was another key contributor, scoring 11 points while playing aggressive defense. She credited second-half adjustments for the win.
“At halftime, we came in and made a choice. We knew the adjustments we had to make and focused on the small details,” said Jones.
Jaquez and Rice Lead with Poise
Gabriela Jaquez, a rising star for the Bruins, stuffed the stat sheet with 10 points, five rebounds, and three assists. She emphasized how team chemistry has been a driving force behind their success.
“UCLA is a player-led team,” said Jaquez. “Our coaches do a great job of letting us lead and making sure our voices are heard. Off the court, we’re best friends, and that trust carries over to the game.”
Point guard Kiki Rice dictated the tempo, finishing with 10 points, seven assists, and zero turnovers. With March Madness in full swing, she is embracing the moment.
“We did a lot of prep this week on handling pressure,” Rice explained. “That’s my job—to be ready for pressure and denial. I have areas to improve, but overall, I liked how we took care of the ball.”
Lauren Betts: The Ultimate X-Factor
At 6-foot-7, Lauren Betts has been a matchup nightmare all season. Despite constant double teams, she remained a force inside. Barker could not help but praise her teammate.
“Lauren is a cheat code,” Barker said. “I tell her all the time—it’s a blessing to play with her.”
Defensive Dominance and Second-Half Surge
While the Bruins were strong offensively, it was their third-quarter defensive intensity that sealed the win. Close was especially pleased with how they responded after halftime.
“That’s where we’ve got to have urgency all the time,” she said. “No matter what the game plan is, you’re counted on to do your job.”
With the first-round victory in the books, UCLA now shifts its focus to the next challenge. With schoolwork temporarily on pause, Rice believes this team is locked in.
“Now that school is over, we can focus more,” she said.
Looking Ahead
With their dominant performance, the Bruins made a statement to the rest of the field—this team is here to compete for a championship. As they prepare for the next round on Sunday, Close and her squad know that every game presents a new challenge.
“Every scouting report is focused on doubling Betts,” Close said. “Every game is going to look different, but our job is to be ready to pivot.”
For Barker, her confidence is soaring.
“Right now, my confidence is at an all-time high,” she said.
If UCLA keeps playing at this level, they could be a dangerous team in the tournament. One thing is clear: the Lady Bruins are locked in, and they are playing to win. They face #8 Richmond Spiders on Sunday.
