Lauren Betts Shines in Bruins’ Sweet 16 Victory Over Ole Miss
SPOKANE, Wash. — At some point during the game, it became hard not to feel a twinge of sympathy for the Ole Miss defense. This was a squad renowned for its ability to stifle opposing offenses, making it a challenge for rivals to dribble, let alone execute plays in the half court. Yet, on this night, they were faced with an enigma they simply could not solve: how to contain the formidable Lauren Betts.
On Friday evening, Betts delivered an astonishing performance, scoring 31 points, marking her second consecutive game surpassing the 30-point mark and the fourth time this season. She also added 10 rebounds and three blocks to her stat line, exhibiting an efficiency that bordered on the absurd—making 15 of her 16 field goal attempts, with her only miss occurring as the clock dwindled at the end of the second quarter.
“That’s insane,” Betts remarked upon hearing her impressive statistics post-game. “Honestly, I feel like ever since our loss to (USC on March 1), I’ve completely shifted my mindset. I’m just focused on being aggressive, no matter what.”
Her remarkable performance was instrumental in propelling the top-seeded Bruins to a 76-62 victory over No. 5 seed Ole Miss, setting the stage for an Elite Eight showdown against No. 2 seed LSU on Sunday.
At the outset of the Sweet 16, Betts had one clear objective: to create a deep seal that would allow her to finish near the basket without needing to dribble past her defender. If her catch was made a bit farther from the hoop, she employed a simple yet effective post move, turning over her shoulder to score. In instances where Ole Miss pushed her away from her preferred position, Betts would move to the perimeter to set a screen for her ball handler, creating opportunities for drives to the basket, which junior point guard Kiki Rice utilized effectively throughout the game.
As the second half unfolded, Betts’ teammates began to find their shooting rhythm from beyond the arc; however, this newfound success did not alter the Bruins’ game plan. “We’re not going to abandon something that’s working,” stated teammate Gabriela Jaquez. “If they couldn’t stop her, we were going to keep feeding her the ball. Don’t fix what isn’t broken. We stuck to our game plan, and it paid off.”
Each bucket Betts made felt increasingly demoralizing for Ole Miss. At one point in the second quarter, the Rebels managed to deny an entry pass to Betts, forcing the Bruins to reverse the ball. Angela Dugalić passed to Jaquez, who was making a cut into the high post, aiming for a high-low pass. Yet, Ole Miss remained glued to Betts, and Jaquez’s runner fell short, resulting in an airball with just three seconds left on the shot clock. Remarkably, Betts retrieved the rebound and scored a layup just before time expired.
“She is everything as advertised,” commented Rebels coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin. “Every time they found themselves in a tough spot, they turned to her. That’s a luxurious position to be in.”
While Betts made scoring a breeze for her teammates, she turned the game into a struggle for Ole Miss. The Rebels shot only 32.4 percent from the field, their second-lowest shooting percentage of the season, making just 12 of 33 layups. They shot a dismal 2 of 13 when Betts was their primary defender, according to ESPN Stats and Info, not accounting for the shots they opted to pass up rather than face her at the rim. Her final block came during a fast-break attempt when Jaquez mishandled a pass, allowing Betts to hustle back and reject KK Deans at the basket.
Aside from a moment when she faced a double team and got tied up, Betts consistently made the right decisions throughout the game. The Bruins’ strategy revolved around getting Betts the ball, and she repeatedly validated that approach.
Even amidst an All-American season—earning her first first-team selection for UCLA—Betts’ performance on Friday night was particularly eye-catching. Her efficiency and ability to dominate both ends of the court led to a historic output.
The Bruins were fortunate to be in a regional devoid of many traditional big centers, yet Betts has been bulldozing through defenses that are designed to counter her. Teams that attempt to spread the floor and make her defend on the perimeter are discovering her agility and ability to contest shots. Those running heavy screen-and-roll plays find that Betts can envelop the ball handler, halting the action before any passes can be made. Moreover, teams boasting what they consider dominant post players are realizing that Betts operates on an entirely different level. Her blend of natural talent, relentless work ethic, and a newly adopted mindset of embracing her greatness has rendered her an incomparable player.
“She put in the work during the offseason to be equipped for this level,” stated UCLA coach Cori Close. “Now she’s ready from the inside out to sustain her performance. She’s an incredible player on both ends of the court, and she elevates everyone around her.”
As Betts continues to rise, she simultaneously boosts the Bruins’ championship aspirations. With their first Elite Eight appearance in seven years, UCLA stands on the brink of advancing to their inaugural Final Four in program history. “She is a very tough matchup,” McPhee-McCuin acknowledged. “UCLA looks like a team that could win a national championship. The question remains: who can stop her?”
(Photo: Steph Chambers / Getty Images)
