Cori Close is on the brink of becoming the winningest head coach in program history.
The Bruins’ first Big Ten conference win over Washington Sunday marked Close’s 296th win as head coach, equaling head coach Billie Moore’s total from 1977 to 1993.
“It means I hired really great people to surround me. That’s the only thing it means to me,” Close said. “None of this has to do with me, it has to do with creating a transformational experience for the young women in our program and honoring the people who so sacrificially serve them really well.”
So when No. 1 UCLA women’s basketball (9-0, 1-0 Big Ten) takes on Long Beach State (5-3, 2-0 Big West) at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, California Saturday, a win would spell Close’s 297th – and a rewriting of Bruin history books.
And it wouldn’t be Close’s first time stamping her name into Westwood’s record books. Just 19 days ago, she led UCLA to a 77-62 rout of then-No. 1 South Carolina to mark the first time the Bruins have taken down a top-ranked opponent.
And simultaneously, Close steered her team to its first-ever No. 1 ranking – a title it continues to defend.
“We’re just continuing to do what we do, practice how we practice, prepare how we prepare,” said junior guard Kiki Rice. “We don’t need to change anything we do because of the ranking we have next to our name.”
The Bruins hold a 3-0 winning record against the Beach, having met last in November 2019 in Westwood – indicating the relative novelty of Saturday’s contest.
The Beach is coming off a three-game winning streak, with its two most recent matches – conference wins at the Rainbow Wahine Showdown. Guard Savannah Tucker averaged 19.5 points per game on 45.8% shooting in Long Beach State’s wins against Cal State Fullerton and Hawaiʻi, earning her first Big West Player of the Week recognition after leading the team in its start of conference action.
UCLA and Long Beach State both took part in this year’s Rainbow Wahine Showdown. Though they did not face one another on the hardwood, they both battled hosts Hawaiʻi.
The Beach went home with a 73-69 overtime win over the Rainbow Warriors, while the Bruins steamrolled the home team 70-49. Through UCLA’s two other games in Hawaii, it recorded 97 points against both UT Martin and Fresno State.
“Our identity offensively is to play through the paint,” Close said. “We have great shooters, but it needs to happen after we’ve played through the paint.”
Junior Lauren Betts leads the team in scoring this season, averaging 19.6 points per game on a 62.8% field goal percentage. The 6-foot-7 center is tied for third in the Big Ten for scoring, rebounds and blocks.
“Her impact is undeniable,” Rice said. “She’s unstoppable in the paint, but I also think on defense, that’s where she really anchors our team down. … Guards don’t want to drive in on her, posts really struggle against her.”
After facing Long Beach State, Cal Poly and Creighton, UCLA will dive straight into six-straight conference matchups, including games against No. 24 Nebraska and No. 20 Michigan.
“There’s a lot of work to be done,” Betts said. “We just need to focus on rebounding, … making sure we are keeping our heads down and staying present everyday and getting better.”
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