SPOKANE, Wash. — The UCLA Bruins are making a strong case for their first Final Four appearance in the NCAA tournament era, showcasing a dominant performance against the LSU Tigers in the Elite Eight on March 30, 2025. With a commanding lead of 43-29 midway through the third quarter, the Bruins have put themselves in a prime position to advance, forcing LSU coach Kim Mulkey to call a timeout as her team struggles to keep pace.
UCLA's Lauren Betts, who has been a force throughout the tournament, continues to shine. After making two free throws early in the third quarter, she set up a series of plays that culminated in Londynn Jones nailing a jumper following a steal, and Gabriela Jaquez swishing a three-pointer to give the Bruins their largest lead of the game.
Jaquez has been particularly effective, scoring 11 points, including three three-pointers, as UCLA has shot an impressive 53.8% from beyond the arc, hitting seven of their 13 attempts. The Bruins opened the second half with a 5-0 run, extending their lead to 36-25, forcing another LSU timeout just 8:23 into the period.
Despite being on the bench for the entire second quarter due to foul trouble, Betts returned to the court and quickly made her presence felt, scoring a layup even while facing a double team. The Tigers have been struggling, with 10 turnovers leading to 11 points for UCLA, which has outscored LSU 34-16 since the start of the second quarter.
At halftime, UCLA held a narrow 31-25 lead, thanks to a strong second quarter where they outscored LSU 22-12. Timea Gardiner stepped up off the bench, contributing nine points, while Jaquez added eight points, three rebounds, and two steals in the first half. LSU's Aneesah Morrow led her team with nine points, but the Tigers were shooting just 31.4% from the field.
As the game progressed, UCLA’s defense proved effective in limiting LSU's scoring opportunities, especially against Morrow, who was held to four points in the second quarter. The Bruins capitalized on LSU's mistakes, demonstrating a stark contrast to last year’s Sweet 16 matchup where they committed 19 turnovers in a loss to the Tigers.
In the first quarter, LSU had initially surged into the lead, closing the period with a 9-2 run to take a 13-9 advantage. However, UCLA quickly regained control, with Betts contributing six points and Jaquez adding a three-pointer.
With both teams vying for a spot in the Final Four, the stakes are high. UCLA is aiming to reach its first Final Four since the NCAA tournament's inception in 1981-82, while LSU is looking to build on its recent success, having reached the Elite Eight for the third consecutive year.
As the game unfolds, the Bruins are clearly in the driver's seat, but LSU has shown resilience in previous rounds, making it clear that they will not go down without a fight. The second half promises to be a thrilling showdown as both teams battle for a coveted place in the Final Four.
Fans are eagerly watching as the action continues, with UCLA looking to maintain its momentum and LSU searching for answers to close the gap. With the game still in progress, the excitement in Spokane is palpable as these two powerhouse teams clash on the court.
