No. 11 UCLA Dominates UC Irvine 78-42 with Lockdown Defense
A fourth-quarter shutout plus 25 assists signaled a collective defensive identity as UCLA heads into a home game with Arizona next Thursday.
Overview
- UCLA closed the game with a 14-0 run to finish a 78-42 victory over UC Irvine on Thursday night, improving the Bruins to 2-0 on the young season.
- Sienna Betts led the Bruins with an efficient 17 points on 8-of-10 shooting in 21 minutes while three teammates — Elina Aarnisalo, Timea Gardiner and KK Bransford — also scored in double figures.
- The team shared the ball effectively, recording 25 assists on 31 field goals, and used group rim protection and quick hands to force turnovers late.
- UC Irvine struggled to score, shooting 24% overall and 3-of-22 from three, going 0-for-11 in the fourth while Delaney White and Ahrray Young provided the Anteaters' only double-figure scoring.
- The game highlighted UCLA's new-look defensive approach after roster shifts and Timea Gardiner's return, and it leaves questions about consistency to watch before the Bruins host Arizona and UC Irvine travels to Northern Arizona next week.