UCLA’s women’s basketball team, ranked third nationally, secured a 76-58 victory over Minnesota on Wednesday night in Minneapolis. The Bruins improved their season record to 16-1 overall and 6-1 in Big Ten Conference play, while the Golden Gophers dropped to 12-5 overall and 3-3 in conference games.
Senior Kiki Rice led UCLA with a standout performance, tying her career-high with 25 points. She also contributed five assists, four rebounds, three steals, and one block while shooting 89 percent from the field. “Birthday magic was in full effect with senior Kiki Rice as she led the Bruins to victory, tying her career-high with 25 points, five assists, four rebounds, three steals, and one block while shooting 89 percent (8-9 FG, 3-3 3FG) from the field,” according to the team’s statement.
Lauren Betts recorded her third consecutive double-double and seventh of the season with 17 points and ten rebounds. Gabriela Jaquez added twelve points and five rebounds for UCLA.
The game started with Minnesota taking an early lead at 5-0 before UCLA responded with a strong run. Graduate student Charlisse Leger-Walker sparked a scoring streak that helped UCLA finish the first quarter ahead at 17-9.
Rice continued her impact throughout the game on both offense and defense. By halftime, she had scored twelve points without missing a shot and provided four assists. Angela Dugalić made contributions off the bench during this period.
In the second half, Rice maintained her form by opening with a steal on Minnesota’s first possession. Teammates Gianna Kneepkens and Lauren Betts contributed key plays that extended UCLA’s lead through efficient ball movement and defensive pressure.
During the fourth quarter, Rice hit a pullup jumper to extend UCLA’s advantage further. Leger-Walker recorded multiple steals that resulted in fast break opportunities for Jaquez and Betts. The Bruins maintained control until the end of regulation.
Statistically, UCLA outperformed Minnesota by shooting sixty percent from the field compared to forty percent for their opponent. The Bruins also held an edge in rebounding (34-22), fast break points (17-3), and finished with seven steals while limiting Minnesota’s three-point shooting percentage to twenty-four percent.
Next up for UCLA is a home matchup against No.12-ranked Maryland at Pauley Pavilion on Sunday, January 18th at 1 p.m., which will be broadcast on NBC.
