No. 3 UCLA defeated No. 12 Maryland with a score of 97-67 in a women’s basketball game held on Sunday afternoon in Los Angeles. The Bruins improved their record to 17-1 overall and 7-1 in the Big Ten Conference, while Maryland fell to 17-3 and 5-3 in conference play.
Senior Gabriela Jaquez led UCLA with 22 points, four rebounds, and three assists, shooting 77 percent from the field. Graduate student Charlisse Leger-Walker contributed significantly as well, finishing just short of a triple-double with 17 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. With her final assist of the game, Leger-Walker reached the milestone of 500 career assists.
Graduate student Gianna Kneepkens added 16 points along with five assists and four rebounds. Senior Lauren Betts matched her season-high in blocks with five and also recorded 11 points, five rebounds, and two assists. Angela Dugalic came off the bench to score 12 points while collecting eight rebounds and four assists.
UCLA started strong by winning the jump ball and quickly establishing control over the game. Early contributions from Leger-Walker, Jaquez, Betts, Rice, Kneepkens, and Dugalic helped build momentum for the Bruins throughout the first quarter.
By halftime, UCLA had established a double-digit lead at 47-35. Three players—Kneepkens (with perfect shooting), Leger-Walker (all three-pointers), and Jaquez—finished in double figures at that point.
In the third quarter, Lauren Betts continued her defensive presence with additional blocks while scoring six more points for UCLA. The team maintained its dominance through consistent offensive execution.
The fourth quarter saw strong performances from Dugalic and Amanda Muse off the bench as UCLA extended its lead further before closing out the victory.
UCLA finished with season-highs in several categories: they tallied 31 assists as a team; made thirteen three-point field goals; and shot an efficient sixty-three percent from the field overall. It was also their sixth game this season scoring ninety or more points against an opponent.
With this win over Maryland—their fourth consecutive victory against ranked opponents—UCLA never trailed during Sunday’s contest.
Looking ahead, UCLA will face Purdue at home on Wednesday, January 21 at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. Pacific Time on Big Ten Network.
