This post was updated Jan. 16 at 11:31 p.m.
Some teams struggle in unfamiliar environments.
The Bruins, however, do just fine.
No. 1 UCLA women’s basketball (17-0, 6-0 Big Ten) defeated Penn State (9-9, 0-7) 83-67 on Wednesday night at the Walter Pyramid, solidifying the Bruins’ best start in program history. The Pyramid served as the team’s temporary headquarters while Pauley Pavilion remained unavailable because of the Los Angeles fires burning just a few miles from the UCLA campus.
“My heart goes out to the families and especially the firefighters who are fighting this battle,” said graduate student forward Angela Dugalić. “We’re so thankful for them.”
Guard Alli Campbell struck first for Penn State, opening the night with back-to-back field goals on ensuing possessions. The Lady Lions took a 13-7 lead midway through the first quarter – which would be their largest of the game.
UCLA quickly stormed back, with junior center Lauren Betts leading the charge. Betts scored seven points in the quarter on 3-of-3 made field goals, alongside three rebounds and two blocks. After the first 10 minutes of play, UCLA trimmed Penn State’s lead to two points.
“I thought preparing for this game, we could have done a little better,” Betts said. “We’re capable of so many things, and we have to make sure we always hold ourselves to the highest standard.”
Junior guard Londynn Jones connected on her first attempt from beyond the arc to propel the team to a 20-19 lead. The Riverside local leads the Bruins in 3-point makes, with 32 on the season.
The Bruins forced seven Lady Lion turnovers in the second quarter. Leading the way for the Bruin defense once again was Betts, who earned two blocks and a steal. Junior guard Kiki Rice, who celebrated her 21st birthday yesterday, recorded two steals of her own during the period.
UCLA scored 27 points in the period and held Penn State to 11. Freshman guard Elina Aarnisalo, who is ranked fourth in Big Ten assists per game, led the Bruins in both assists and points in the quarter with two and six, respectively.
Campbell led Penn State’s first half, scoring 12 first on 5-of-7 attempts. Campbell was one of just four Lady Lions to score in the opening half.
At the midway point of the competition, UCLA held a 44-30 lead over Penn State. Betts, who posted a team-leading 12 points, seven rebounds and four blocks in the first half, is ranked top five in the Big Ten in each of those categories.
The candidate for Women’s College Basketball National Player of the Year and the John Wooden Award finished the game with 22 points, 12 rebounds and a career-high seven blocks. Betts marked her 10th double-double of the season with more than nine minutes left in the contest.
“Lauren is a generational player,” said coach Cori Close. “It’s not only her individual stats. It’s how she makes everybody better.”
The Bruins extended their lead to 16 points by the end of the third quarter thanks to contributions from junior forward Janiah Barker, junior guard Gabriela Jaquez and Betts, who each recorded six points in the period.
Penn State made one final push, opening the fourth and final quarter on an 11-2 run, cutting UCLA’s lead to seven. A pair of 3-point baskets by Jones and junior forward Timea Gardiner put a Lady Lion victory out of reach.
UCLA’s winning effort featured evenly spread offensive contributions, with each Bruin who checked into the game logging points. Betts, Jaquez, Rice and Dugalić all reached double-digit scoring for UCLA.
Before the win, the Bruins jogged onto the court with “L.A. Strong” T-shirts. UCLA is among 16 LA sports teams wearing the Fanatics merchandise. All profits generated from the collection will be donated to the American Red Cross and the LA Fire Department Foundation.
“Being UCLA strong means we want to shine for our city,” Close said. “We want to compete in such a way that shows our commitment to mastering our craft … and what a privilege it is to do that.”
Up next for UCLA is a trip to the East Coast, where it will face Baylor, Rutgers and No. 8 Maryland.
