University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Friday, March 6
Indianapolis, Ind.
9 a.m. PT
UCLA
29-1,18-0Big Ten
78
vs
60
Washington
21-10,10-8Big Ten
1
2
3
4
F
Washington
15
9
17
19
60
UCLA
6
21
22
29
78
Lauren Betts
Photo by: Caren Nicdao
Top-Seeded Women's Basketball Wins Big Ten Tourney Opener
March 06, 2026 | Women's Basketball
INDIANAPOLIS โ Top-seeded UCLA overcame a 10-point first-half deficit to beat No. 8 seed Washington 78-60 in the 2026 Allstate Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament quarterfinals Friday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The comeback win represents the Bruins' largest of the season.
Conference Player of the Year Lauren Betts of UCLA (29-1) led all players with 26 points and eight rebounds. Also scoring in double figures for the Bruins were Kiki Rice (18), Gianna Kneepkens (13) and Charlisse Leger-Walker (10). Avery Howell led the Huskies (21-10) with 18 points.
UCLA scored 52 points in the paint, including 36 in the second half. The Bruins converted 34 of 63 shots (54%) despite making just one of 10 from 3-point range. They made 22 of 34 (65%) from the field over the final 20 minutes, completing the 28-point turnaround.
The Bruins made just three of their 11 shot attempts in the first 10 minutes, scoring a quarter season-low six points. Howell scored six of her own during a 9-0 run for the Huskies, who established a 15-6 advantage after the first.
A layup by Sayvia Sellers pushed Washington's lead to a game-high 10 points at 22-12 with 6:26 left in the second quarter. UCLA bounced back emphatically, though, going on a 15-0 run across the next 5:54. Four Bruins scored during the stretch, with Rice pouring in seven of the last nine points. UCLA led 27-24 at halftime.
The Huskies would not go quietly, using a quarter-opening 10-4 run to go back on top in the third. The teams took each other's best shots until the Bruins closed out the penultimate period scoring seven straight points to take a 49-41 lead into the final frame.
Sellers drained a 3-pointer to open the fourth quarter and cut Washington's deficit to six. The Huskies would not get any closer, though, as UCLA went on 8-0 and 10-2 runs down the stretch. The Bruins' lead reached a game-high 19 points at 78-59.
UP NEXT: vs. Big Ten Tournament Semifinals (Saturday)
The Bruins take on the winner of Friday's second quarterfinal matchup between fourth-seeded Minnesota and No. 5 seed Ohio State. Tip-off in Saturday's first semifinal is set for 11 a.m. PT on Big Ten Network and the FOX Sports app.
Conference Player of the Year Lauren Betts of UCLA (29-1) led all players with 26 points and eight rebounds. Also scoring in double figures for the Bruins were Kiki Rice (18), Gianna Kneepkens (13) and Charlisse Leger-Walker (10). Avery Howell led the Huskies (21-10) with 18 points.
UCLA scored 52 points in the paint, including 36 in the second half. The Bruins converted 34 of 63 shots (54%) despite making just one of 10 from 3-point range. They made 22 of 34 (65%) from the field over the final 20 minutes, completing the 28-point turnaround.
The Bruins made just three of their 11 shot attempts in the first 10 minutes, scoring a quarter season-low six points. Howell scored six of her own during a 9-0 run for the Huskies, who established a 15-6 advantage after the first.
A layup by Sayvia Sellers pushed Washington's lead to a game-high 10 points at 22-12 with 6:26 left in the second quarter. UCLA bounced back emphatically, though, going on a 15-0 run across the next 5:54. Four Bruins scored during the stretch, with Rice pouring in seven of the last nine points. UCLA led 27-24 at halftime.
The Huskies would not go quietly, using a quarter-opening 10-4 run to go back on top in the third. The teams took each other's best shots until the Bruins closed out the penultimate period scoring seven straight points to take a 49-41 lead into the final frame.
Sellers drained a 3-pointer to open the fourth quarter and cut Washington's deficit to six. The Huskies would not get any closer, though, as UCLA went on 8-0 and 10-2 runs down the stretch. The Bruins' lead reached a game-high 19 points at 78-59.
UP NEXT: vs. Big Ten Tournament Semifinals (Saturday)
The Bruins take on the winner of Friday's second quarterfinal matchup between fourth-seeded Minnesota and No. 5 seed Ohio State. Tip-off in Saturday's first semifinal is set for 11 a.m. PT on Big Ten Network and the FOX Sports app.
Team Stats
UW
UCLA
FG%
.453
.540
3FG%
.273
.100
FT%
.750
.750
RB
25
36
TO
14
10
STL
4
7
Game Leaders
Pts
26
FGM
13
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
13
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Pts
10
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
C
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
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