INDIANAPOLIS — Gianna Kneepkens scored 19 points and Kiki Rice added 15 points and eight assists to help No. 2 UCLA beat No. 9 Iowa 96-45 on Sunday to win its second straight Big Ten tournament title.
Rice was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.
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It’s the first time the Bruins (31-1) have won back-to-back playoff division titles and the first time they’ve won both the regular season and league titles in the same season. The Bruins also extended their school-record winning streak to 25 games and their Big Ten conference-record winning streak to 24 games, dating back to last season’s tournament.
They easily surpassed Iowa State’s 33-point victory over Ohio State in 2023 with the most lopsided margin in tournament history. Five UCLA players scored in double figures, including Sienna Betts, sister of star center Lauren Betts, who tied her season high with 14 points. Lauren Bates scored 10 points in 24 minutes.
Ava Hayden scored 15 points for the Hawkeyes (26-6). Addie Deal scored 11 points while all-conference forward Hannah Stuelke struggled with a right elbow injury and a third straight day of illness. Stuerke made 0 of 4 shots without scoring and only had 3 rebounds. Iowa’s eight-game winning streak was ended.
Things haven’t been going well for the Hawkeyes since Taylor Stremlow’s opening three-pointer gave them their only lead.
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UCLA responded with 13 consecutive points. After one quarter, the Bruins widened the point difference to 22-5 and led by 25 points in the second quarter. Iowa ended the half with 3 points to chase the score to 42-20. Things got worse for Iowa State in the second half.
The Bruins made 40 shots and had 34 assists.
Before UCLA won back-to-back titles, Iowa won three in a row and Maryland won two in a row. Over the weekend, the Bruins became the first Big Ten team to complete a perfect conference season since the 2014-15 Terrapins. Maryland also won the tournament that season.
Next
Both teams wait a week for Selection Sunday to find out their women’s NCAA tournament matchups. UCLA is certain to host the first two rounds, while Iowa State could also play at home.