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16h ago

No. 4 UCLA Crushes No. 17 USC 80–46 Behind Betts’ Dominance

UCLA’s size overwhelmed USC, giving the Bruins sole possession of first place in the Big Ten.

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USC’s Jazzy Davidson (9) is guarded by UCLA’s Gabriela Jaquez (11) during the first half of an NCCA college basketball game at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion in Westwood, CA Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
UCLA women’s basketball coach Cori Close leads her team to a win over USC at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion in Westwood, CA Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
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Overview

  • UCLA turned a 16–16 first quarter into a rout by owning the interior, finishing with a 42–10 edge in paint points and a 46–26 rebounding margin.
  • Lauren Betts posted 18 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks as Gianna Kneepkens added 15 and Kiki Rice had 14 points with eight assists.
  • The victory is UCLA’s eighth straight and moves the Bruins to 14–1 overall and 4–0 in league play, alone atop the Big Ten standings.
  • USC struggled offensively at 27% shooting and just six fourth-quarter points, with freshman Jazzy Davidson limited to 10 on 4-of-15 and Kara Dunn scoring 11.
  • With JuJu Watkins out for the season rehabbing an ACL tear, coach Lindsay Gottlieb called the 34-point defeat an “embarrassment,” as USC turns to Oregon next.