Top-seeded UCLA delivered a historic performance March 8 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, dismantling No. 2 seed Iowa 96-45 to claim its second consecutive conference tournament championship.
The 51-point thwacking set a record for the largest in a Big Ten Tournament final, surpassing Iowa’s 33-point victory over Ohio State in 2023. The Bruins (31-1) shot a tournament-record 63.5% from the field, dished out a tournament-record 34 assists and tied the finals record with 15 steals.
“I expected this, so I am joyful and full of gratitude,” UCLA coach Cori Close said. “I want to thank the incredible players that really fulfilled their mission and stayed committed to the hard character qualities that we knew we needed to make this kind of run.”
Kiki Rice, named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, orchestrated the offensive showcase with 16 points, seven assists and four steals. Big Ten Player of the Year Lauren Betts added 14 points and seven rebounds. In comparison, Charlisse Leger-Walker contributed 13 points and five steals.
Bruins set records in dominant effort
UCLA’s 25-game winning streak stands as the second-longest in Division I women’s basketball this season. The Bruins never trailed, building a 22-5 lead after the first quarter and stretching it to 42-20 by halftime. They outscored Iowa 29-9 in the fourth quarter alone.
“We take pride in our defense, and I think that’s what really ignited us today,” Rice said. “When we can start with a lot of pressure, being the aggressors and dictating on the defensive end, it’s going to help us and get us easier looks on offense.”
Close, named Big Ten Coach of the Year, praised her team’s preparation and focus.
“I think my biggest responsibility as the leader of this program is to hold the standard,” Close said. “We were 0-for-9 on offensive rebound misses at halftime. The danger is, when you’re really efficient offensively, you just think every shot’s going in. On a night that you might not be as hot, you have to have the habits and discipline.”
Iowa (26-6) appeared in its fourth Big Ten championship game in five years, but couldn’t withstand UCLA’s relentless pressure. The Hawkeyes committed 15 turnovers and shot just 27.9% from the field.
Freshman Ava Heiden led Iowa with 15 points on 7-of-11 shooting, battling effectively against the taller Bruins frontline. Addie Deal added 11 points off the bench.
Sienna Betts delivers
With the outcome long decided, the fourth quarter belonged to Lauren Betts’ younger sister. Sienna Betts, a freshman, scored a career-high 14 points on 7-of-8 shooting, grabbed four rebounds and dished four assists in 19 minutes off the bench.
“Coach Cori came to the bench in the fourth quarter and said, ‘This is Sienna’s world, and we’re just living in it,'” Lauren Betts said. “I’m just really proud of her because I know this season it’s hard being a freshman on this team with these elite players. She continues to stay confident.”
The Betts sisters combined for 28 points and 11 rebounds. Sienna’s breakout performance highlighted UCLA’s depth — six Bruins scored at least eight points.
Iowa’s season in retrospect
Hawkeyes coach Jan Jensen, in her second season leading the program, credited UCLA’s superiority while expressing pride in her team’s journey to the championship game.
“I think the world of Cori and her staff,” Jensen said. “Just had them prepared and locked in and ready to roll.”
Iowa navigated the season without injured guard Taylor McCabe, a primary outside scoring threat. The Hawkeyes recalibrated and won their way to the title game behind a young core that includes Heiden, Deal and guard Chit-Chat Wright.
“This loss does not define Iowa women’s basketball season,” Jensen said. “They’ve been stellar all year. If the pundits are right, they say (UCLA’s players are) all going to the league. Most of us have one or two go, but they have a lineup like that. We just have to take our licking and understand that we played a great, great team, and we weren’t nearly at our best.”
The victory marked the first time the No. 1 seed has won the Big Ten Tournament since Maryland in 2021. The last five tournament titles have been captured by either Iowa (three) or UCLA (two).
All-Tournament selections included Lauren Betts, Rice, Iowa’s Ava Heiden, Ohio State’s Chance Gray and Iowa’s Hannah Stuelke.
Contact Multimedia Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846. Follow him on X @3Noral. For more, visit indianapolisrecorder.com.
Noral Parham is the multi-media reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
