MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kiki Rice scored 25 points on 8-of-9 shooting and Lauren Betts had her third straight double-double to lead No. 3 UCLA to a 76-58 victory over Minnesota on Wednesday night.
Betts avoided early foul trouble and finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds to help the Bruins (16-1, 6-0) remain undefeated in Big Ten play and extend their winning streak to 10 games. Their only loss was to No. 4 Texas on Nov. 26 in Las Vegas.
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Rice hit all of his 3-pointers, making the Gophers pay for defending the paint, and the Bruins shot 60 percent (27-for-45) from the field against one of the nation’s top defenses. UCLA had its highest final score so far this regular season against Minnesota, allowing 51.8 points per game entering the night.
The Gophers lost 100-99 in double overtime to the then-No. 1 team. 7 Maryland, December 7. They beat the No. 1 team at the time. USC’s 63-62 win on Sunday the 21st was the program’s first victory over a ranked team since 2019.
Amaya Battle scored 16 points and Mara Braun added 15 for the Gophers (12-5, 3-3), who forced 17 turnovers but scored just three fast-break points.
As the Bruins navigate a challenging start to their Big Ten schedule, Betts has been a force on the court, especially around the basket.
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The Associated Press preseason All-American is currently ranked No. 1 after finishing Sunday’s game with 18 points, 10 rebounds, five steals and four blocks. 24. Nebraska, one of four opponents ranked in the AP’s top 25 at the time of the game, is also one of four road games in UCLA’s six-game schedule starting after the break.
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On Sunday, UCLA will face No. 12 Maryland and Minnesota will play Washington.
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