Jan 20, 2025; Newark, New Jersey, USA; UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts (51) scores a basket against Baylor Lady Bears forward Kyla Abraham (12) during the second half at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images Lauren Betts racked up 24 points, nine rebounds and a career-high nine blocked shots to power No. 1 UCLA to a 72-57 victory over No. 25 Baylor on Monday at the Coretta Scott King Classic in Newark, N.J.
The 6-foot-7 star center had at least two blocks every quarter and went 10-for-17 from the field for the Bruins (18-0). Her nine blocks also set a school record.
Kiki Rice added 15 points, Gabriela Jaquez put up 11 points and a game-high 13 rebounds and Janiah Barker added 10 points and eight boards. The Bruins’ bigs helped them dominate Baylor 42-20 in points in the paint.
Yaya Felder scored 10 points to lead Baylor (16-4) and four of her teammates finished with eight points in a balanced effort: Darianna Littlepage-Buggs, Bella Fontleroy, Sarah Andrews and Kayla Nelms.
The Bears never held a lead against their undefeated foes, as Jaquez, Betts, Rice and Barker contributed to a 17-2 run to open the game. The Bruins’ lead was down to eight at halftime, thanks in part to Felder’s seven points in the second quarter.
The closest Baylor got in the third quarter was 41-36 following a 5-0 spurt. Londynn Jones answered that with a 3-pointer, Betts and Timea Gardiner added buckets and the margin never returned to single digits.
–Field Level Media
