No. 2 UCLA too big, strong for Arkansas

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UCLA block leads to Gabriela Jaquez 3-pointer

Kiki Rice's block leads to Gabriela Jaquez knocking down a 3-pointer to put UCLA up 21 points.

Dec 3, 2023, 10:24 pm

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- — :Lauren Betts scored 20 points to lead four players in double figures for No. 2 UCLA in an 81-66 victory over Arkansas on Sunday.

The Bruins’ size dominated as UCLA (7-0), which ranked second in the nation in rebounding margin, outrebounded Arkansas, 56-26, and outscored the Razorbacks in the paint, 40-22. Betts, at 6-foot-7, did all of her work in the paint, making all nine of her shots and grabbing 10 rebounds.

UCLA went on a 13-0 run in the first quarter and another 17-2 run in the second, quieting things early and took a 50-33 lead into halftime. The Bruins built a lead as large as 30 in the third quarter before a 17-2 Razorbacks run in the fourth trimmed the margin.

“I was just quoting to the team that Nick Saban talks about how it’s human nature to want to take a deep breath when you get up 30,” UCLA coach Cori Close said. “It’s human nature to want to sort of survive here and there. But if you want to be a champion, you have to learn to compete like it’s your last.”

Arkansas guard Taliah Scott, who entered leading the SEC and ranked sixth in the nation in scoring, scored her season average of 23 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter, though she shot just 6 of 21 from the floor as Arkansas (7-2) as a team made only 33%.

Kiki Rice, Londynn Jones and Gabriela Jaquez joined Betts with double-digit scoring games. Rice and Jones each scored 12 and Jaquez notched a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Maryam Dauda, Saylor Poffenbarger and Makayla Daniels also scored in double figures for Arkansas with 14, 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Close was ultimately satisfied, but did point out the Bruins' only bugaboo so far in the early season.

“We do need to earn more consistency,” she said. “We do need to have better habits. We haven’t put four quarters together yet.”

BIG PICTURE

UCLA: The Bruins continued to look like a national-title contender, using their size most advantageously. That will have to continue when Pac-12 play begins, as Stanford, Oregon State and Utah round out the top four in national rebounding margin.

Arkansas: NCAA Tournament hopes will come via SEC play when it begins, though the Razorbacks appear to be a bubble team in early December.

UP NEXT

UCLA hosts Cal State Northridge on Thursday.

Arkansas hosts Louisiana Tech on Thursday.

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AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball