Bruins Brave Slow Start to Advance to Tournament Semifinals

Defending Big Ten Tournament Champion, No. 1 seed, and No. 2 ranked UCLA came back to defeat No. 8 seed Washington to advance to the semifinals of the 2026 Allstate Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament .

The game began with Washington making a statement, holding UCLA to a season-low six points in the first quarter. Fueled by a 13-2 run, the Huskies took a strong 15-6 lead, capitalizing on a 5+ minute scoring drought by the Bruins.

UCLA found its rhythm in the second quarter, led by Lauren Betts, who scored eight of its first 12 points. A massive 15-0 run turned the tide, giving the Bruins a 27-24 lead at halftime. Despite two early fouls for three key players, including Betts, UCLA’s momentum carried them forward. Washington briefly regained the lead in the third quarter, but UCLA responded with a 7-0 run, ending the period ahead 49-41.

In the final quarter, UCLA’s depth shone as six different players scored, including six points from Betts. An 8-0 run extended the Bruins' lead to 66-50, and they closed the game on a 6-1 run to secure a 78-60 victory. The Bruins dominated the paint with a 52-32 advantage, showcasing their strength inside.

Lauren Betts, the Big Ten Player and Defensive Player of the Year, led the charge with 26 points and eight rebounds, while Kiki Rice added 18 points and six assists. Despite a strong effort from Washington’s Avery Howell (18 points), UCLA, the defending Big Ten Tournament Champion, proved why it's a powerhouse, advancing with a commanding performance.

No. 1 seed UCLA now faces the winner of No. 5 seed Ohio State and No. 4 seed Minnesota in tomorrow's semifinal. Want to see it in person? Click here .

Quarter-by-quarter breakdown below.

First Quarter: Husky hold UCLA to season-low Q1

• The teams trade buckets early on layups from Elle Ladine (WASH), Lauren Betts (UCLA), and Gianna Kneepkens (UCLA). Bruins lead 4-2 with 6:29 remaining.
• Washington goes on a 9-0 run while UCLA suffers a 5+ minute scoring drought. Huskies lead 11-6 with two minutes left in Q1.
• The Huskies end the first period on a 13-2 run to take a 15-6 lead!
• Notable: The Bruins' six points in the first quarter is a season-low.

Second Quarter: Bruins clap back with massive run

• Charlisse Leger-Walker nabs a seal for UCLA and scores. Sayvia Sellers drills a step-back three. 18-8 Huskies a minute into the second period.
• Notable: Betts has eight of UCLA's first 12 points.
• Notable: Six different Huskies have found the net already. Washington leads 22-12 at the media timeout (6:25).
• The Bruins go on a huge 15-0 run to take the lead!
• Avery Howell breaks the Huskies' drought with a deuce, sending us into the break with UCLA up 27-24.
• Notable: Three Bruins have two personal fouls, including Lauren Betts.

Third Quarter: UCLA pulls ahead, Huskies within reach

• Notable: With Hannah Stines' triple, every Husky has scored this game.
• An Elle Ladine three gives Washington a brief 34-33 lead before Kiki Rice responds with three points and two free throws of her own! 38-34 UCLA, 5:08 remaining in Q3.
• Notable: We've already had five lead changes and three ties in the game.
• The teams trade buckets, and UCLA leads 42-39 at the media timeout (2:33).
• Notable: Lauren Betts and Rice have 28 combined points.
• UCLA goes on a 7-0 run with scores from four different Bruins to take its largest lead of the game, 49-41, at the end of Q3.

Fourth Quarter: Bruins finish the job

• Rice rattles in a jumper to give UCLA a 12-point advantage with 6:20 remaining.
• Coach Cori Close appeals an out-of-bounds call to keep the possession with UCLA.
• UCLA's 8-0 run puts it up 66-50 with 4:26 remaining. Six different Bruins have scored so far in Q4, led by six points from Lauren Betts.
• Brynn McGaughy and Howell snap the Huskies' scoring drought, but UCLA responds. 70-57 Bruins with 2:55 remaining.
• The Bruins end the game on a 6-1 run to close out the 78-60 win and advance!
• Notable: UCLA finished with a 52-32 advantage in the paint.
• Key Contributors (UCLA): Lauren Betts (26 points, eight rebounds), Kiki Rice (18 points, six assists).
• Key Contributors (WASH): Avery Howell (18 points), Elle Ladine (10 points, seven rebounds), Sayvia Sellers (10 points, eight assists).

Want updates on your team throughout the tournament?  Click here  and tell us who you root for.