INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – UCLA’s dominance reached new heights on Sunday as the Bruins deftly defeated Iowa State to capture the Big Ten Championship for the second straight season.
The game was over as soon as it started. UCLA ended the first quarter with a 22-5 lead and then led by 51 points, 96-45. This game was a microcosm of everything that has made UCLA great this season, and a true testament to the Bruins’ incredible depth that has helped the Bruins to a record 25-game winning streak that continues.
advertise
“It was just a team effort,” senior guard Kiki Rice said in a television interview after the game. “We do this every day. We play for each other. We play for each other and I love this team.”
team dominance
The Bruins had six players score in double figures, including graduate guard Gianna Kneepkens who scored 19 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the field and 4-of-8 from beyond the arc.
Freshman forward Sienna Bates had her best performance of her first season, scoring 14 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists, while shooting nearly perfect, 8-of-7 from the field.
advertise
Betts’ performance embodied everything the Bruins expected from her and more when she joined the team before the start of the season. She has the overwhelming physical attributes that make her sister and teammate senior center Lauren Betts so dominant, and the younger Betts displays elite mid-range shooting and dynamic movement around the basket.
As the confetti fell after the game, Rice was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player and the Bruins hoisted their second trophy in as many weeks.
The Big Ten first-teamer averaged 16.7 points and 5.3 assists per game while displaying lockdown defense and valuable playmaking ability on the court.
advertise
pursuit of greatness
The Bruins continue to prove why they have been one of the best teams in the country all season long, and why they have a legitimate case to not only compete with UConn, who has been ranked No. 1 in the country all season, but to overtake the Huskies for the No. 1 spot.
As a team, UCLA shot 63.5 percent from the field and 50 percent from 3-point range, had one of the best offensive performances of any team this season and set a Big Ten tournament record with 31 assists, but the Bruins put on a show of defense that might have been even more impressive.
Not only did they hold Iowa to 45 points, but their suffocating defense limited the Hawkeyes to 27.9 percent shooting.
The UCLA Bruins celebrate after the Big Ten Championship Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday, March 8, 2026 in Indianapolis. The UCLA Bruins defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes 96-45 to win the Big Ten Championship for the second consecutive year.
Grace Hollars/IndyStar/USA TODAY NETWORK (via Image Images)
advertise
The UCLA Bruins celebrate after the Big Ten Championship Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday, March 8, 2026 in Indianapolis. The UCLA Bruins defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes 96-45 to win the Big Ten Championship for the second consecutive year.
Next up is the big dance. UCLA has a lot of momentum heading into the NCAA Tournament, and even though they dismantled Iowa State, head coach Cori Close isn’t satisfied with her team’s abilities.
“I think we obviously did some really good things and were locked in, but actually I don’t think we’re there yet,” Close said in a post-match television interview. “I think what’s special about them is they’re really willing to say, ‘Hey, we can be 1 percent better today.’ “We can do a great job … to really pursue the best version of ourselves today. Not comparing things to the future, but today is really getting better. “
