With March Madness in full swing, UCLA women’s basketball is locked in and embracing the journey. The Bruins are feeding off the energy of their home crowd and the excitement of postseason play.
Locked in and Ready
UCLA players have made it clear—they are locked in for the tournament.
“When we put our minds to it, I think we can lock down anybody in the tournament,” Lauren Betts shared.
Junior guard Gabriela Jaquez echoed that mindset, keeping her sights set on the big picture but not getting ahead of herself.
“Coming to UCLA, everyone’s goal is to win a national championship—that would be truly amazing,” Jaquez said. “But I’m just focused on one game at a time.”
Related Stories
Student Athlete of the Week: A’Nia Passmore
LAFC Falls to Austin FC 1-0 at BMO Stadium
For 6’7” center Lauren Betts, the mental aspect of the game is just as important as the physical. “Communication and scheduling, and trying to make sure I still find time for myself—that’s the most important thing,” Betts shared.
It is a balancing act, but one she and her teammates have learned to master.
Embracing the Pauley Pavilion Atmosphere
The Bruins are relishing the opportunity to play in front of their home fans before a potential trip deeper into the tournament. Gabby Jaquez spoke about the impact of the growing fan base.
“We love playing at Pauley,” she said. “Obviously, playing at home is super fun. To see the abundance of fans come in to support us has been great. The growth of fans that come in consistently to watch our games is amazing. I’m super thankful for everyone that comes to watch.”
That support has been tangible. “It speaks to the talent of this team. People are so excited to watch us. Yesterday, walking through the gym, and everyone was cheering for us—it was just incredible,” she added.
Enjoying the Moment
The winter quarter ended on March 21, allowing the Bruins a chance to focus solely on basketball.
“Being a student-athlete is not easy,” Betts admitted. “Finally being able to just focus on basketball… it’s great vibes right now. We’re super happy to be competing and experiencing this to the fullest without having to worry about school.”
Junior forward Janiah Barker, a spark plug off the bench, has embraced her role and brings an infectious energy to the team. Her skill development at UCLA has been a key storyline throughout the season, and she will be a crucial piece as the Bruins look to make a deep tournament run.
One Game at a Time
As UCLA prepares for its next challenge, the message from the team is clear: stay focused, stay present, and take it one game at a time. With a deep roster, home-court advantage, and a locked-in mentality, the Bruins are poised to make noise in March.
Their journey continues, and as long as they’re playing, one thing is certain—the vibes will be high, and the Bruins will be ready.
