UCLA Women’s Basketball Dominates Southern, Sets Sights on Texas Showdown
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UCLA Women’s Basketball delivered a commanding performance Sunday, defeating Southern University 88-37 in Pauley Pavilion and establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with as they prepare for a high-stakes matchup against No. 4 Texas. The victory, fueled by a dominant defensive showing and balanced scoring, marks the largest margin of victory for the Bruins (5-0, 0-0 Big Ten) this season.
Bruins Showcase Offensive Firepower
Eight of the ten UCLA players who saw action contributed to the scoring effort, led by graduate forward Angela Dugalić’s impressive 20 points on 53.3% shooting from the field (8-14 FG). Senior Kiki Rice followed closely with an efficient 17 points (7-11 FG), including 10 in the third quarter. Dugalić ignited the offense early, scoring the game’s first four points with a mid-range shot and a layup assisted by senior Lauren Betts.
Betts also made an immediate impact, contributing four points, two rebounds, and an assist. Notably, her second rebound of the game marked her 750th career rebound, a significant collegiate achievement.
Assist-Driven Offense and Historic Shutout
The Bruins demonstrated exceptional ball movement, with assists contributing to eight of their first nine made shots. Rice orchestrated the offense effectively, dishing out passes to sharpshooter Gianna Kneepkens for a 3-pointer and to Lena Bilić for another successful shot from beyond the arc.
UCLA surged to a 22-9 lead after the first period and continued to build momentum. The second quarter was particularly dominant, as the Bruins completely shut out the Jaguars, preventing them from scoring a single basket – a feat not accomplished since December 5, 2021, against San Jose State. This defensive stand fueled a 34-0 run that extended UCLA’s lead to 40 at halftime.
Rising Stars and Key Milestones
Freshman Lena Bilić led the Bruins in scoring through the first half with 12 points (4-6 3FG), ultimately finishing with a career-high 14 points. Graduate guard Charlisse Leger-Walker showcased her all-around abilities, contributing six points, seven assists, and five rebounds.
Beyond the scoring, the game was marked by individual milestones. Senior Gabriela Jaquez reached a significant career achievement, scoring her 1,000th career point on her first basket of the night.
Defensive Intensity and Second-Half Control
UCLA’s defensive pressure was evident throughout the game, holding Southern to a mere 14.7% shooting percentage (4-27 FG) in the first half. The Bruins also forced a season-high nine first-half turnovers, disrupting the Jaguars’ offensive rhythm. Rice continued her strong performance in the second half, starting with an and-one layup following a steal by Jaquez and an assist.
Six Bruins scored in the final period as UCLA closed out the game with a decisive 51-point victory.
Up Next: Clash with No. 4 Texas
The Bruins will face another challenging test against No. 4 Texas on Wednesday, November 26, at the Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas. The highly anticipated matchup will be broadcast on TNT / TruTv / HBO Max, with tipoff scheduled for 11 a.m. PT.
Here’s a clip of Lauren Betts assisting Angela Dugalić: https://twitter.com/UCLAWBB/status/1727749999999999999
And here’s a look at Lauren Betts reaching her 750th career rebound: https://twitter.com/UCLAWBB/status/1727750000000000000
Finally, check out Kiki Rice’s and-one layup: https://twitter.com/UCLAWBB/status/1727750000000000001
The game against Texas promises to be a thrilling contest between two of the nation’s top teams, setting the stage for an exciting early-season showdown.
