For the first time in program history, the UCLA Bruins have advanced to the Final Four of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. The Bruins defeated the LSU Tigers 72-65 in a hard-fought Elite Eight matchup.
The Bruins fell to the Tigers in the Sweet 16 last year, but this time, they were determined to flip the script.
As the final buzzer sounded, junior center Lauren Betts stood at midcourt, embracing her teammates in celebration.
“This is UCLA basketball; this is what we do,” Betts declared, her voice resonating with pride and emotion.
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Betts delivered a stellar performance, contributing 17 points, seven rebounds, and six blocks. Her defensive presence was pivotal, especially considering she sat out the entire second quarter due to foul trouble.
Bruins junior forward Timea Gardiner stepped up in a significant way, adding 15 points to their tally.
“I’m so happy to be here and contribute to the success of this team. I’m so excited, and all of our hard work paid off,” Gardiner said
Junior forward Gabriela Jaquez led UCLA with 18 points and eight rebounds, showcasing her versatility and leadership on the court.
“We have a lot of confidence in our team. We’ve gotten better and I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of this team,” Jaquez said.
The Bruins faced several challenges throughout the game, including Betts getting into foul trouble and a late LSU surge that cut the lead to just four points with under two minutes remaining. However, UCLA executed its game plan and made clutch free throws in the closing moments.
“[Close] told us to mentally prepare ourselves. We played LSU before, so we knew how they play,” Betts explained. Their preparation paid off, as the UCLA bench and shot accuracy maintained their advantage throughout the game.
LSU junior guard Flau’Jae Johnson put up a valiant effort, scoring 28 points, but it was not enough to overcome UCLA.
On the defensive end, UCLA made LSU work for every point. Defensive discipline ultimately made the difference for the Bruins, as they held LSU to 37 percent shooting from the field.
UCLA displayed crisp ball movement; they outscored LSU in bench points, showcasing their depth. When key players needed rest or were in foul trouble, others stepped up.
With this victory, UCLA not only avenges their previous Sweet 16 loss to LSU but also cements their place among the elite teams in the nation. The Bruins now set their sights on the Final Four in Tampa, Florida, where they will face the Uconn Huskies.
As they prepare for the next challenge, the Bruins carry with them the confidence and determination that have defined their historic tournament run. This Final Four appearance marks a turning point for the program, proving that they can compete with and defeat the best teams in the nation.
