LOS ANGELES, CA — No. 2 UCLA continued its dominant run through the Big Ten on Thursday night, pulling away in the second half for an 82-67 victory over Washington at Pauley Pavilion.
The Bruins (26-1, 16-0 Big Ten) extended their winning streak to 20 games by using a balanced scoring attack and a decisive third-quarter surge to put away the Huskies. Washington kept the game competitive through the first half, but UCLA’s defensive pressure and rebounding advantage proved too much over the final 20 minutes.
“We challenged them at halftime to raise our defensive intensity,” UCLA coach Cori Close said. “I thought in the third quarter we really locked in — we rebounded with purpose and shared the ball the way we’re capable of.”
UCLA led by just five at halftime before breaking the game open with a 12-2 run midway through the third quarter. The Bruins forced consecutive turnovers that led to transition baskets and second-chance opportunities, energizing the home crowd and creating separation that Washington could not overcome.
Kiki Rice controlled the tempo throughout, pushing the pace and finding open teammates while also attacking the rim. Lauren Betts anchored the paint on both ends, altering shots defensively and finishing efficiently inside. The Bruins’ depth again played a pivotal role, with multiple players contributing timely baskets as UCLA stretched its lead to double digits entering the fourth quarter.
Washington (record not provided) stayed within striking distance behind steady perimeter shooting and aggressive drives to the basket in the first half. The Huskies capitalized on early UCLA miscues and briefly trimmed the deficit to single digits early in the third quarter before the Bruins responded with their decisive run.
“Our focus was staying composed,” Rice said. “They made some shots and made a push, but we trusted our defense and kept moving the ball. When we do that, we’re hard to guard.”
UCLA’s defense tightened considerably after halftime, contesting 3-point attempts and limiting Washington to one shot on most possessions. The Bruins also dominated the glass during the second half, creating extra scoring chances that gradually wore down the Huskies.
By the midway point of the fourth quarter, UCLA had built a lead of more than 15 points, allowing Close to rotate her bench while maintaining control. The Bruins finished with a balanced offensive effort, with several players reaching double figures as they improved to a perfect 16-0 in conference play.
The win keeps UCLA firmly atop the Big Ten standings and strengthens its case for a top seed in the NCAA Tournament. Pauley Pavilion has become a fortress during the Bruins’ win streak, with Thursday’s performance underscoring the team’s consistency and depth on both ends of the floor.
Washington will look to regroup as it continues conference play, while UCLA remains at home seeking to extend its unbeaten conference run and build momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
