The UCLA women’s basketball team, behind the stellar play of their guards, overcame a slow start to remain unbeaten, beating the Minnesota Golden Gophers 79-53, on last Sunday afternoon at Pauley Pavilion before an enthusiastic crowd of 6,184 fans. The No.1 ranked Bruins improved to 21-0 for the season and 9-0 in the Big Ten conference.
The loss dropped the Golden Gophers to 18-5 on the season and 6-5 in Big Ten conference play. The Bruins struggled in the first half, leading 16-15 at the end of the first quarter and led 33-28 at halftime. Bruins head coach Cori Close mentioned in a halftime interview that, “we are not playing connected defensively. We’re not playing with connectedness and purpose offensively.”
The Gophers were double teaming and triple teaming star center Lauren Betts, and that seemed to be somewhat effective in keeping the game close through the first two quarters. Betts averages over 20 points per game. She was held to just two points in the first half and 6 points for the game. Because of the double and triple teaming by the Golden Gophers, Betts became more of a passer and finished the game with season-high and career-high of 11 assists.
UCLA took control of the game in the third quarter, outscoring Minnesota 18-10 in the quarter to take a 53-38 lead after three quarters. The offense exploded in the fourth quarter, scoring 28 points to wrap up a 26-point victory. Minnesota head coach Dawn Plitzuweit was impressed with the UCLA women’s basketball team.
“They’re No. 1 in the country for a reason,” Plitzuweit said in her postgame press conference. “UCLA is a great team on both ends of the court. They present a lot of problems. Just about every aspect of the game of basketball they are dominating in and yes, they are the best team we have played.”
Guard Elina Aarnisalo came off the bench to lead the Bruins with 15 points, adding five rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Guard Kiki Rice had 14 points on 6 of 8 shooting and guard Londynn Jones chipped in with 13 points. But the spark provided by Aarnisalo off the bench was the difference, a point that Close picked up on in the postgame press conference.
“She’s been tremendous all year long,” Close said. “But I would say that our depth and our bench over the course of the entire season has been just such a separator. We have a higher margin for error because if one of our starters are having a tough night in any way, shape or form, there is just somebody really, really capable to come in. Elena’s IQ is elite. Her understanding of purpose is elite. Her selflessness, her work ethic, and so she has earned the right by the work done in the dark that when she gets the opportunity in the light she will shine.”
Minnesota was led by guard Amaya Battle, who scored 21 points. The Bruins also beat No. 8, ranked Ohio State 65-52 at home last Wednesday night. Their next two games will be on the road against Oregon on Sunday at 1 p.m. and USC on Thursday, February 13, at 7 p.m. They return home for games against Michigan State on Sunday, February 16, at 6 p.m. and Illinois on Thursday, February 20 at 6:30 p.m.