LOS ANGELES — The UCLA Bruins continued their impressive NCAA Tournament run, defeating the Richmond Spiders 84-67 on Sunday, March 23, and securing their spot in the Sweet 16 for the third consecutive year.
The victory marked a significant milestone for UCLA, as it is the program's first time earning a No. 1 seed in the tournament’s history. Despite facing a tough Richmond team, which rallied to tie the game at halftime, UCLA’s dominant second-half performance showcased their championship aspirations.
Lauren Betts was the standout star for the Bruins, delivering an extraordinary performance with 30 points and 14 rebounds. Her efficient shooting, hitting 14 of 17 from the floor, made it difficult for Richmond's defense to keep pace. Betts reflected on the team's adjustments, noting, “That second half we really turned it around. I think we just changed our mentality defensively. We wanted to get stops, and you know we overcommunicated and we had each other’s back. We played as a unit, and that’s what’s most important.”
UCLA's coach, Cori Close, acknowledged the first half's challenges where the Spiders led briefly before halftime, stating, “We had too many mistakes of how we were guarding certain things in the first half, and they were hot. That combination was tough for us.” Richmond managed to tie the game at 36-36 after an explosive finish to the second quarter, leveraging their impressive 73% shooting from the field early on.
In the third quarter, however, UCLA flipped the script, outscoring their opponents 29-7. This impressive scoring run was aided by sharp shooting from beyond the arc, where the Bruins converted four 3-pointers in a short span. Kiki Rice, another key player for UCLA, added to the offensive output with 23 points and seven assists, hitting four of six from three-point range. Rice voiced her confidence in the team, attributing their success to strong communication and teamwork.
The crowd of 6,119 at Pauley Pavilion fueled the Bruins with energy, particularly after a significant contribution from junior guard Janiah Barker. Barker encouraged fans to increase their volume during a critical stretch, resulting in a palpable shift in momentum. “We needed that energy,” Close said. “For them to get so excited about how we were defending made all the difference in the world.”
Defensively, the Bruins tightened their grip in the second half, forcing Richmond to miss 12 of their last 15 shots during the third quarter and going more than five minutes without scoring. This defensive effort was pivotal in stifling Richmond’s flow, particularly after they had enjoyed an offensive surge earlier in the game. Richmond's Maggie Doogan led her team with 27 points but was limited to just two points in the pivotal third quarter, illustrating UCLA's defensive adjustments.
The Spiders, known for their shooting prowess, began strong, briefly holding a lead. Richmond’s shooting and strategic play nearly kept the game tightly contested, especially as they outscored the Bruins 20-16 in points in the paint during the first half. However, their inability to maintain offensive rhythm in the latter quarters proved costly.
“Grit, especially in March Madness, is super important,” Betts remarked, emphasizing the critical nature of performing under pressure. The team, reflecting on past performances and near-misses, vowed to maintain their focus and determination as they advanced in the tournament.
Next, the Bruins will face the fifth-seeded Mississippi team in the regional semifinals scheduled for March 28 in Spokane, Washington. Mississippi caused an upset by defeating No. 4 Baylor, making the upcoming match even more crucial for both teams. Coach Close has studied Mississippi’s strengths closely, indicating, “They are one of the best defensive teams in the country. They’re extremely physical. We’re going to have to get our act together for the Sweet Sixteen game, but we’ve been preparing all the way.”
As UCLA continues its march toward a potential Final Four appearance, the strong showing against Richmond demonstrates their readiness and resilience. The Bruins, now 32-2, aim to build on this momentum and harness their home-court energy as they progress deeper into the NCAA Tournament.
