UCLA’s women’s basketball team made history by reaching the Final Four for the first time in the NCAA Tournament with a 72-65 victory over LSU in Spokane, Washington. Star player Lauren Betts scored 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds, despite sitting out the entire second quarter due to foul trouble.
At 6-foot-7, Betts added six blocks to her impressive performance. The Bruins, now boasting a record of 34-2, are set to face the winner of the upcoming matchup between Southern California and UConn in Tampa, Florida, where the Final Four will take place.
Gabriela Jaquez also played a key role for UCLA, contributing 18 points and eight rebounds, while Timea Gardiner added 15 points, stepping up during Betts’ absence after she picked up two fouls in the first quarter. “I want to give credit to my teammates for holding it down while I was out,” Betts remarked during the post-game trophy presentation.
UCLA’s previous women’s national title came in 1978, long before the NCAA era, and this win marks their first NCAA regional final victory after two prior attempts.
On the other side, LSU’s Aneesah Morrow had a tough finish to her college career. After sustaining a bloody nose from a collision with a teammate, she returned to the game and scored 15 points. Flau’Jae Johnson led LSU with 28 points. The Tigers, who won the national championship two years ago, faced disappointment again after being eliminated from the Elite Eight for the second consecutive year.
As the game went on, LSU managed to close the gap to 46-41 at the start of the fourth quarter. However, Betts quickly responded with a layup, helping the Bruins maintain their lead. Despite a late push from LSU, which sparked enthusiastic chants from their fans, UCLA held on to secure the victory. Jaquez hit a crucial three-pointer with 1:30 left, essentially sealing the win against the team that had ended UCLA’s season in the Sweet 16 last year.
The Bruins started strong but found themselves down 13-9 at the end of the first quarter. They eventually regained control, going on a 6-0 run, thanks to Gardiner’s three-pointer that helped them lead at halftime, 31-25. Betts returned to start the second half strong, and UCLA quickly built a 14-point advantage before LSU mounted a response.
Throughout the game, UCLA Coach Cori Close was vocal, urging her players to execute their game plan effectively. As the game progressed, Morrow’s injury raised concerns, but she returned to play and reassured fans that her nose was not broken.
