UCLA women’s basketball defeats Nebraska, extends win streak to 13 games

Lauren Betts hoists the ball over her head looking to make a pass. The junior center returned to action after a two-game hiatus due to a knee injury sustained earlier in the season. (Aidan Sun/Assistant Photo editor)
Women’s Basketball
Nebraska | 54 |
No. 1 UCLA | 91 |
By J. Spencer Brown
Dec. 29, 2024 5:16 p.m.
This post was updated Dec. 19 at 8:14 p.m.
UCLA’s leading scorer is back in uniform.
Junior center Lauren Betts, who missed the team’s last two outings, suited up for the Bruins on Sunday afternoon.
With the help of Betts, No. 1 UCLA women’s basketball (13-0, 2-0 Big Ten) emerged victorious over Nebraska (10-3, 1-1) on Sunday afternoon at Pauley Pavilion. The 91-54 victory extended the Bruins’ win streak to 13 games and marked the program’s fifth all-time victory against the Cornhuskers.
Betts suffered a knee injury in UCLA’s Dec. 14 matchup against Long Beach State but was a full participant in Sunday’s pre-game shootaround and competition. The John Wooden Award Watch list nominee won the opening tip for the Bruins, but the Cornhuskers struck first, with guard Logan Nissley knocking down a 3-point basket from the left wing.
“I was a bit nervous, with my knee,” Betts said. “But it’s nice to be back.”
Junior guard Kiki Rice put UCLA on the board with consecutive coast-to-coast buckets, giving the Bruins an early 4-to-3 lead. Rice finished the opening quarter with seven points on 3-of-3 shooting from the field.
UCLA exhibited a two-point guard lineup to start the game, with Rice joining freshman guard Elina Aarnisalo – who saw limited action in the first quarter as the result of two quick fouls.
The Cornhusker defense forced eight Bruin turnovers in the first 10 minutes of the game, and UCLA found itself with a narrow 21-17 lead heading into the second quarter of play. After adding another 18 turnovers throughout the remainder of the matchup, UCLA finished the game with a season-high in turnovers.
“We could have played much better teamwork basketball,” said coach Cori Close. “26 turnovers is just unacceptable.”
UCLA struggled offensively to start the second quarter and relinquished its early lead after a 9-4 Nebraska run. However, the Bruins quickly struck back with a 12-0 run of their own, propelling them to a 37-26 lead.
Rice continued her hot streak from the floor, raising her first-half total to 11 points with 5-of-5 shooting.

“I love that Kiki had four steals and was able to create offense off of her defense,” Close said.
Despite Rice’s hot hands, the Bruins faltered to just 35.3% shooting in the second quarter. Junior guard Gabriela Jaquez had the only 3-point basket for the team in the first half.
UCLA led Nebraska 37-30 heading into the second half. Betts sat atop the team’s box score with 13 points and five rebounds, with her first-half performance marking her 11th straight game with double-figure scoring. Betts finished with 21 points and eight rebounds.
“I think having the practices and getting the ball in my hands helped a lot,” Betts said. “I felt much better coming into today.”
After a nine-day break between games, the Bruins looked to be carrying some holiday rust. However, with their game legs back under them, the team surged to a 15-point lead in the early goings of the third quarter at the hands of an 8-0 run.
And they weren’t done yet. By the end of the quarter, UCLA had extended its lead 25 points.
In direct contrast to their cold shooting in the second quarter, the Bruins did not miss a shot until the 4:40 mark of the third quarter, leading the Cornhuskers 31-to-13 in scoring by the period’s end.
“I think it started with the defense,” Betts said. “We talked about making sure we’re communicating, taking away 3s like we work on every day in practice.”
Four Bruins reached double-figure scoring during the Big Ten home opener, including juniors guard Londynn Jones and forward Timea Gardiner who put up 11 and 15 points, respectively.
Rice finished the contest with 18 points and a perfect 8-of-8 shooting. With her performance, Rice eclipsed 1,000 career points early into her third year as a Bruin.
“I felt like I got the (shots) at the rim and the shots that I practice a lot and know I can knock down,” Rice said.
The victory over Nebraska marked UCLA’s 12th consecutive victory by 10 or more points and Close’s 300th victory as head coach.
“I want to be respectful and humble and say thank you,” Close said. “But I’m just thankful to be 2-0 in the Big Ten and starting this run.”
Next for UCLA is a New Year’s Day matchup against another Big Ten opponent in No. 23 Michigan.