UCLA Iowa women basketball final score 88-65 action
UCLA Iowa Women’s Basketball: The Bruins seize the initiative early and don’t look back The UCLA Iowa women’s basketball game on Sunday appeared to be a promising test of strength versus skill, but the Bruins soon established their dominance and took a lead that grew as the game went on. UCLA sought to disrupt Iowa’s rhythm from the first whistle at Pauley Pavilion, and they succeeded in doing so with quick offensive execution and an oppressive interior presence.
Iowa (18-4, 9-2 Big Ten) entered Los Angeles with the goal of overcoming hardship and keeping up with a contender for the national championship. The Bruins (21-1, 11-0) played with purpose from the first quarter despite Iowa’s persistence. After outscoring Iowa 17–13 in the first quarter, UCLA won the second quarter 22–15. The size, depth, and scoring balance of the Bruins were simply too much for the Hawkeyes to match.
The team led by head coach Cori Close demonstrated why they are a consistent national contender by controlling the tempo, forcing turnovers, and performing well in the paint and on the perimeter. UCLA had a double-digit lead at the half and never gave it up. Despite their best efforts, Iowa was never able to put together enough stops or a reliable offense to pose a real threat to the deficit.
Dugalic Sparks Bruins, Betts and Rice Shine
Angela Dugalic, a senior forward, led all scorers and led the Bruins’ depth attack with a career-high 22 points off the bench. Throughout the game, UCLA maintained a strong momentum thanks to her electrifying contributions. Guard Kiki Rice contributed 17 points with clutch shooting and astute decision-making, while center Lauren Betts added 16 points, controlling the paint with physical defense and dependable scoring. The Bruins’ effective offense and pressure defense were built around this trio.
UCLA punished Iowa’s help rotations with precise ball movement and an effective field goal percentage. The Hawkeyes were unable to establish a defensive rhythm because of their offensive patience and spacing. Iowa, on the other hand, was only 5-for-21 from beyond the arc and was unable to overcome UCLA’s physical advantage in the paint, where the Bruins outscored Iowa by 30 points.
Hawkeyes Response and Individual Efforts
Despite the defeat, a few Iowa players showed promise. With 19 points in the second half, Ava Heiden led the Hawkeyes and attempted to ignite a surprise comeback. Hannah Stuelke demonstrated her rebounding prowess against a formidable UCLA frontcourt with her 13 points and 8 rebounds. Although new players like bench scorer Stremlow and Journey Houston brought energy, it was insufficient to stop the Bruins’ relentless run.
Throughout the game, Iowa’s transition offense and spacing problems continued, and UCLA was able to take advantage of turnovers at crucial points to increase the lead. It was Iowa’s second straight loss and brought attention to areas the Hawkeyes need to improve as the season approaches the postseason.
Looking Ahead
The victory keeps UCLA undefeated in conference play and puts them in a strong position to win the top seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins are demonstrating that they can defeat ranked opponents on any stage thanks to their reliable offense and adaptable defense.
The loss serves as a reminder to Iowa of the difficulties associated with competing at the highest level. As they move closer to Big Ten play and aim for March Madness, the Hawkeyes will regroup and use this game to hone their rotations and tactics.
