LOS ANGELES, Calif - The No. 1- ranked UCLA Women's Basketball Team (21-0, 9-0 Big Ten) won its 21st consecutive game of the year over the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Sunday afternoon. The 21-game streak ties the UCLA Women's Basketball program record for the longest win streak in school history (21 games, 1977-78).
Junior Lauren Betts showed her elite versatility by recording 11 assists against the Gophers (18-5, 6-5 Big Ten), more than doubling her career high going into the game. Betts totaled the most assists by a player 6-foot-7 or taller since the 2002-03 season; Brittney Griner finished with nine assists against Kansas State in March 2013 for the previous record.
Freshman Elina Aarnisalo led the team in scoring with 15 points alongside five rebounds and two assists. Kiki Rice finished with 14 points while shooting 75 percent from the field. Londynn Jones added 13 points on 3-of-6 3-point shooting.
The Bruins struggled offensively in the first quarter but finished the first ten minutes up 15-14. Londynn Jones scored the game's first points off of a made three with an assist from Rice. Freshman Elina Aarnisalo led the team in scoring in the frame with six points while shooting perfectly from the field. Kendall Dudley hit a reverse layup under the basket and Betts hit her first shot of the game with 33 seconds on the clock to give the Bruins a lead at the end of the first quarter.
UCLA picked up the pace in the second quarter, outscoring Minnesota 18-14. Angela Dugalić, Jones and Rice each scored five in the quarter, all connecting on a shot from beyond the arc. Dugalić added four rebounds in the second frame. Rice scored her five points on consecutive possessions off of two assists from Betts. Betts did not score in the quarter but tied her career-high in assists before halftime with five dimes. Timea Gardiner also recorded three points, an assist, and a well-timed steal to put UCLA up 33-28 at halftime.
The Bruins had a strong start to the third quarter, going on a 7-2 run and forcing a timeout in the first two minutes of play. Gabriela Jaquez led both teams in scoring with seven points in the third while missing only one shot. Rice added four points while Gardiner hit her second 3-pointer of the day. Betts recorded four more assists in the frame to achieve her career-high. Betts' four assists in the third quarter were more than the Gophers' team assists in the frame. The Bruins entered the fourth quarter up 51-38.
UCLA was unstoppable in transition in the fourth quarter, outscoring Minnesota 28-15 in the final period. Aarnisalo led the team in points, scoring seven in the final ten minutes. Rice and Jones each contributed five points in the quarter, while Betts picked up four. Jones also had two steals on back-to-back possessions to contribute defensively. Freshman Avary Cain hit a three-pointer, contributing to 21 UCLA bench points in the fourth. The Bruins scored 11 points off turnovers and seven fast break points to contribute to their 11th win by at least 20 points this season. With UCLA's ninth win in the Big Ten, it remains the final undefeated team in the conference.
UP NEXT - vs. Ohio State (Feb 5)
The Bruins will return to Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom on Wednesday, Feb. 5 to face off against Ohio State. The game will tip off at 6:30 p.m. PST and will be broadcast on Peacock.
Junior Lauren Betts showed her elite versatility by recording 11 assists against the Gophers (18-5, 6-5 Big Ten), more than doubling her career high going into the game. Betts totaled the most assists by a player 6-foot-7 or taller since the 2002-03 season; Brittney Griner finished with nine assists against Kansas State in March 2013 for the previous record.
Freshman Elina Aarnisalo led the team in scoring with 15 points alongside five rebounds and two assists. Kiki Rice finished with 14 points while shooting 75 percent from the field. Londynn Jones added 13 points on 3-of-6 3-point shooting.
The Bruins struggled offensively in the first quarter but finished the first ten minutes up 15-14. Londynn Jones scored the game's first points off of a made three with an assist from Rice. Freshman Elina Aarnisalo led the team in scoring in the frame with six points while shooting perfectly from the field. Kendall Dudley hit a reverse layup under the basket and Betts hit her first shot of the game with 33 seconds on the clock to give the Bruins a lead at the end of the first quarter.
UCLA picked up the pace in the second quarter, outscoring Minnesota 18-14. Angela Dugalić, Jones and Rice each scored five in the quarter, all connecting on a shot from beyond the arc. Dugalić added four rebounds in the second frame. Rice scored her five points on consecutive possessions off of two assists from Betts. Betts did not score in the quarter but tied her career-high in assists before halftime with five dimes. Timea Gardiner also recorded three points, an assist, and a well-timed steal to put UCLA up 33-28 at halftime.
Kiki is in attack mode! She has 5?-straight for the Bruins!
— UCLA Women's Basketball (@UCLAWBB) February 2, 2025
??: @BigTenNetwork #GoBruins | @laurenbetts12 x @kiki_rice0 pic.twitter.com/PGqWnxbu5l
The Bruins had a strong start to the third quarter, going on a 7-2 run and forcing a timeout in the first two minutes of play. Gabriela Jaquez led both teams in scoring with seven points in the third while missing only one shot. Rice added four points while Gardiner hit her second 3-pointer of the day. Betts recorded four more assists in the frame to achieve her career-high. Betts' four assists in the third quarter were more than the Gophers' team assists in the frame. The Bruins entered the fourth quarter up 51-38.
UCLA was unstoppable in transition in the fourth quarter, outscoring Minnesota 28-15 in the final period. Aarnisalo led the team in points, scoring seven in the final ten minutes. Rice and Jones each contributed five points in the quarter, while Betts picked up four. Jones also had two steals on back-to-back possessions to contribute defensively. Freshman Avary Cain hit a three-pointer, contributing to 21 UCLA bench points in the fourth. The Bruins scored 11 points off turnovers and seven fast break points to contribute to their 11th win by at least 20 points this season. With UCLA's ninth win in the Big Ten, it remains the final undefeated team in the conference.
?? ASSISTS FOR LAUREN BETTS ??????
— UCLA Women's Basketball (@UCLAWBB) February 2, 2025
??: @BigTenNetwork #GoBruins | @laurenbetts12 x @ElinaAarnisalo pic.twitter.com/v801qq0xp5
UP NEXT - vs. Ohio State (Feb 5)
The Bruins will return to Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom on Wednesday, Feb. 5 to face off against Ohio State. The game will tip off at 6:30 p.m. PST and will be broadcast on Peacock.