Sunday, February 16
Los Angeles, Calif.
6 p.m.
UCLA
24-1,12-1Big Ten
75
vs
69
No. 22 Michigan State
19-6,9-5Big Ten
1
2
3
4
F
Michigan St.
16
17
22
14
69
UCLA
21
20
12
22
75
Photo by: Ross Turteltaub
Bruins Best Spartans in Late Game Battle, 75-69
February 16, 2025 | Women's Basketball
LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The No. 1-ranked UCLA Women's Basketball team (24-1, 12-1 Big Ten) picked up its 24th win of the season over No. 22-ranked Michigan State at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom on Sunday night, 75-69.
Juniors Janiah Barker and Timea Gardiner tied with a team-high 18 points, leading the Bruins in scoring against the Spartans (19-6, 9-6 Big Ten). Barker earned her fifth double-double of the season, adding a game-high 12 rebounds alongside three assists, two steals, and a block. Gardiner finished 4-7 from the three-point line and added four rebounds, an assist, and a block.
Junior Kiki Rice also finished in double figures, scoring 16 points. She also recorded seven assists, four rebounds, and four steals.
The Bruins used a balanced offensive effort to finish the first quarter up 21-16 on the Spartans. Gabriela Jaquez scored the first points of the game off of an assist from Janiah Barker. Londynn Jones and Angela Dugalić then quickly hit 3-pointers on back-to-back possessions. Dugalić was the team's leading scorer in the quarter, finishing with six points on 2-2 three-point shooting. Rice and Janiah Barker added four points apiece, and Rice also added three rebounds, three assists, and a block.
UCLA extended its lead in the second quarter thanks to efficient scoring. The team finished the second frame shooting 50 percent from the field and 50 percent from three. UCLA's dominance from beyond the arc was led by Gardiner, who hit three 3-pointers and led the quarter in scoring with 11 points. Barker worked both ends of the court, scoring six points, including two converted off of her own steal. UCLA went into halftime up 41-33 on Michigan State.
The Bruins struggled in the third quarter and were outscored by the Spartans 22-12. Rice hit the team's first field goal of the frame after two minutes of play on a turnaround jumper. Rice led the team in scoring in the third quarter with four points. Jaquez and Gardiner each contributed one field goal, while Barker and Dugalić scored on free throws. Barker finished the quarter with a block and the Bruins went into the final quarter down 55-53.
UCLA found success in the fourth quarter through its offensive and defensive efforts. Jones scored the first field goal of the period off of a pullup jumper. Barker then quickly converted her steal into a jumper for the second time in the game. Barker led the quarter in scoring with six points alongside five rebounds and an assist. Rice added four points and three assists while recording two steals. Gardiner went for five points on perfect shooting in the fourth, including a clutch, late 3-pointer to solidify the Bruins' win. The game was tied 11 times and saw six lead changes, but the Bruins finished with their 12th win in Big Ten conference play.
UP NEXT- vs Illinois (Feb. 20)
The Bruins return to Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom to face off against Illinois on Thursday, Feb. 20. The game will tip off at 6:30 p.m. and be broadcast on Big Ten Network.
Juniors Janiah Barker and Timea Gardiner tied with a team-high 18 points, leading the Bruins in scoring against the Spartans (19-6, 9-6 Big Ten). Barker earned her fifth double-double of the season, adding a game-high 12 rebounds alongside three assists, two steals, and a block. Gardiner finished 4-7 from the three-point line and added four rebounds, an assist, and a block.
Junior Kiki Rice also finished in double figures, scoring 16 points. She also recorded seven assists, four rebounds, and four steals.
The Bruins used a balanced offensive effort to finish the first quarter up 21-16 on the Spartans. Gabriela Jaquez scored the first points of the game off of an assist from Janiah Barker. Londynn Jones and Angela Dugalić then quickly hit 3-pointers on back-to-back possessions. Dugalić was the team's leading scorer in the quarter, finishing with six points on 2-2 three-point shooting. Rice and Janiah Barker added four points apiece, and Rice also added three rebounds, three assists, and a block.
Laundry's almost done, that's the spin cycle! ??
— UCLA Women's Basketball (@UCLAWBB) February 17, 2025
??: Big Ten Network#GoBruins | @kiki_rice0 pic.twitter.com/CdrDpUWKjM
UCLA extended its lead in the second quarter thanks to efficient scoring. The team finished the second frame shooting 50 percent from the field and 50 percent from three. UCLA's dominance from beyond the arc was led by Gardiner, who hit three 3-pointers and led the quarter in scoring with 11 points. Barker worked both ends of the court, scoring six points, including two converted off of her own steal. UCLA went into halftime up 41-33 on Michigan State.
The Bruins struggled in the third quarter and were outscored by the Spartans 22-12. Rice hit the team's first field goal of the frame after two minutes of play on a turnaround jumper. Rice led the team in scoring in the third quarter with four points. Jaquez and Gardiner each contributed one field goal, while Barker and Dugalić scored on free throws. Barker finished the quarter with a block and the Bruins went into the final quarter down 55-53.
UCLA found success in the fourth quarter through its offensive and defensive efforts. Jones scored the first field goal of the period off of a pullup jumper. Barker then quickly converted her steal into a jumper for the second time in the game. Barker led the quarter in scoring with six points alongside five rebounds and an assist. Rice added four points and three assists while recording two steals. Gardiner went for five points on perfect shooting in the fourth, including a clutch, late 3-pointer to solidify the Bruins' win. The game was tied 11 times and saw six lead changes, but the Bruins finished with their 12th win in Big Ten conference play.
TG FOR 3?3?3?3?
— UCLA Women's Basketball (@UCLAWBB) February 17, 2025
??: Big Ten Network#GoBruins | @Deeezzy3 x @timea_gardiner pic.twitter.com/cRdqvfOKCL
UP NEXT- vs Illinois (Feb. 20)
The Bruins return to Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom to face off against Illinois on Thursday, Feb. 20. The game will tip off at 6:30 p.m. and be broadcast on Big Ten Network.
Team Stats
MSU
UCLA
FG%
.473
.456
3FG%
.357
.400
FT%
1.000
.882
RB
28
32
TO
13
13
STL
10
8
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
18
FGM
8
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
18
FGM
6
3FGM
4
FTM
2
Pts
8
FGM
2
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballBruins Beyond Basketball: Charlisse Leger-Walker x Angela Dugalić
Tuesday, June 24
UCLA W. Basketball Postgame, Final Four – vs. UConn (April 4, 2025)
Friday, April 04
UCLA W. Basketball, Final Four Media Availability – Players (April 3, 2025)
Thursday, April 03
UCLA W. Basketball, Final Four Media Availability – Coach Close (April 3, 2025)
Thursday, April 03