Lauren Betts scores 25, leading No. 1 UCLA to victory over Indiana
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Lauren Betts had 25 points and 12 rebounds and No. 1 UCLA shut out Indiana for more than eight minutes in the first half of a 73-62 victory on Saturday in its first visit as a Big Ten Conference member.
The Bruins (15-0, 4-0) were never seriously threatened after the Hoosiers (10-4, 2-1) missed five shots and committed seven turnovers during an 8-minute, 15-second drought that began late in the first quarter.
The absence of Eric Dailey Jr. coupled with Dylan Andrews’ ongoing struggles dooms turnover-happy UCLA to a 66-58 road loss to Nebraska.
Betts made 12 of 16 shots for her ninth double-double of the season. She ensured a fast start by scoring three of the Bruins’ first four baskets in a game in which UCLA led by as many as 16 points.
Kiki Rice had 12 points, seven assists and seven rebounds for the Bruins while Gabriela Jaquez, who converted a steal into a three-point play to start the second quarter after Indiana had closed to within 18-16 to start a 13-0 run, added 11 points.
Yarden Garzon led the Hoosiers with 19 points. Chloe Moore-McNeil added 12.
Takeaways
UCLA: The Bruins have won all but one game by double digits, and this was an impressive road performance against a top-tier Big Ten team just two years removed from a conference title.
Indiana: The Hoosiers were pesky for one quarter before falling apart. This wasn’t as bad as a 30-point home loss to North Carolina on Nov. 25, but losing at home by double digits is still sobering for a proud program.
Key moment: Jaquez converted a steal into a three-point play to start the second quarter after Indiana had closed to within 18-16 at the end of the first quarter. The basket started a 13-0 run.
Key stat: The Hoosiers’ first point in the second quarter came on a free throw with 2:56 remaining. They scored only five in the quarter.
Up next: The Bruins visit Purdue on Tuesday. The Hoosiers visit Northwestern on Wednesday.
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