What we're covering here
Well folks, here we are. It feels like we’ve been anticipating this day for months, which, if you think about it, we have. Excitement pervaded this roster when the season kicked off Nov. 4, and nothing changed since. A 23-game win streak and Big Ten tournament championship later, No. 1 seed UCLA women’s basketball reached its first Final Four in the NCAA era.
But standing staunchly in its way is a program in search of its first national title since 2016, and for the projected top pick in the WNBA Draft Paige Bueckers, first of her career. We’re geared for a potential showdown of the ages.
So follow along as we take you though everything happening both on and off court. The action on the hardwood, the guest appearances, festivities – and everything in between – off the court. Sports editor Ira Gorawara and Daily Bruin staffers have you covered all night long.
Your job? Keep a tab on our page and enjoy the evening.
Ira Gorawara
4/4/2025, 10:21:46 PM20 Days, 19 Hours, 5 Minutes AgoA tough way for us to sign out here at Amalie Arena.
Amalie Arena vacated with time still left on the clock, and it’s now deep into the night and these halls ghost like. But the way the fans left were starkly different.
Those draped in navy and white have likely hit the streets of Tampa, Florida. Coach Geno Auriemma might’ve joined them.
“I’m cutting into the one thing I do have control over, and that’s what wine I’m drinking tonight,” the Hall of Fame coach said.
But it’s none of the same for the Bruins. A painful way to cap a season of firsts, with so much history added to the annals. A 34-point beating that capped off a season with so much to celebrate.
Thank you all for following along, and I hope this feed provided everything you needed tonight.
Signing off.
Ira Gorawara
4/4/2025, 10:15:16 PM20 Days, 19 Hours, 12 Minutes AgoIn what was slated to be a historic night for No. 1 seed UCLA women’s basketball, a more painful first transpired for the Bruins.
UCLA’s 85-51 obliteration at the hands of No. 2 seed UConn was the largest loss in NCAA Final Four history. It was a night where nothing could go right for the Bruins, and nothing did.
The Huskies’ trio of guards Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd and forward Sarah Strong combined for 57 points as just one Bruin eclipsed double-digit figures. The Bruins’ overreliance on junior center Lauren Betts was alarmingly clear as Betts posted 26 points and provided any sort of rhythm for the Bruins.
It’s home time for UCLA – a landmark season coming to a screeching halt in the toughest fashion.
We’ve got our full gamer from assistant Sports editor Sabrina Messiha ready for your perusal. Have a read for the color and emotion that’ll help illuminate tonight’s beating.
(Aidan Sun/Assistant Photo editor)
Kai Dizon
4/4/2025, 9:27:41 PM20 Days, 19 Hours, 59 Minutes AgoAll of UCLA’s players – including faces of the program, junior center Lauren Betts, junior guard Gabriela Jaquez and junior guard Kiki Rice – are eligible to return next season.
Additionally, the Bruins will add Lauren Bett’s sister, Sienna Betts – the No. 2 2025 recruit according to espnW – and Lena Bilić.
And graduate student guard Charlisse Leger-Walker, who was able to medically redshirt this season, is expected to be ready for the 2025-2026 camapaign.
Kai Dizon
4/4/2025, 9:25:37 PM20 Days, 20 Hours, 2 Minutes AgoUCLA’s worst loss of the season came on arguably the biggest stage the program has ever seen.
It’s 51 points are the fewest it’s scored all season and UConn’s 85 the most its allowed.
The Bruins’ 25% shooting percentage from deep was their worst clip since facing the Cornhuskers in the Big Ten tournament and their 29 total rebounds were the fewest its recorded in their March Madness run.
UCLA committed 19 turnovers to UConn’s seven, with the latter outscoring the former 27-5 off turnovers.
Sophia Pu
4/4/2025, 8:50:43 PM20 Days, 20 Hours, 36 Minutes AgoThe applause at Pauley Pavilion has been replaced by resigned smiles as UCLA’s March Madness run came to an end. People have been depopulating the stands since halftime but a few devoted dozens stuck it out until the end.
“This has been the best season we’ve ever had,” said Maxwell Iacono, a second-year Business Economy major. “Unfortunately, it hasn’t clicked this game. It’s upsetting, because I know we’re better than this.”
Ella Dunderdale
4/4/2025, 8:48:51 PM20 Days, 20 Hours, 38 Minutes AgoIn their first-ever NCAA Final Four appearance, the Bruins made history as the first team to lose by more than 30 points in national semifinals.
Kai Dizon
4/4/2025, 8:47:03 PM20 Days, 20 Hours, 40 Minutes AgoThe Bruins are heading home – the Huskies beat just swamped them in Tampa Bay – but it looked like no one besides junior center Lauren Betts arrived anyway, with the rest of the team scoring just 25 points to Betts’ 26.
The program record-setting 2024-2025 UCLA women’s basketball squad will have to settle for just the Final Four appearance, with the irony being they barely showed up.
Ira Gorawara
4/4/2025, 8:36:31 PM20 Days, 20 Hours, 51 Minutes AgoFINAL: UConn 85, UCLA 51.
Bruins are completely and utterly blown out in what became their final game of the season Friday night in Tampa. 34-point loss and nothing – at all – went right for UCLA.
Ella Dunderdale
4/4/2025, 8:33:55 PM20 Days, 20 Hours, 53 Minutes AgoLauren Betts, in tears, has taken to the sideline.
The 2025 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year has accounted for more than half of UCLA’s points, while the rest of the team has struggled to gain any momentum.
In fact, Betts remains the only Bruin to reach double figures.
Kai Dizon
4/4/2025, 8:32:53 PM20 Days, 20 Hours, 54 Minutes AgoWith just 51 points with under a minute left, it’s looking like tonight will be the fewest points scored by UCLA all season.
The Bruins trail the Huskies by 32.
Betts, Bueckers and Strong are all off the court at this point.
searching for more posts...