Key Highlights
- So, I think I just felt it and had a good rhythm tonight and the ball went in."An abundance of weapons in WestwoodJaquez's emergence is just one of many reasons that UCLA is so dangerous this season.
- The Bruins were already formidable last season, but much of that dominance rested on senior center Lauren Betts' 6'7 shoulders. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThere were few answers for her in the post up until the Bruins' Final Four elimination to UConn and tossing to her in the paint was an easy, almost automatic chance at a score. Lauren Betts #51 of the UCLA Bruins calls for the ball during an NCAA basketball game against the Purdue Boilermakers, Wednesday January 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif. Jordan Teller - The Sporting TribuneLauren Betts #51 of the UCLA Bruins calls for the ball during an NCAA basketball game against the Purdue Boilermakers, Wednesday January 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif. Now, in addition to Betts' continued presence, the Bruins are surrounded by shooters that can impact the game from the perimeter or midrange. There are existing shooters like Jaquez and Kiki Rice, but there's also the addition of three-point sniper graduate guard Gianna Kneepkens, who scored 14 on Wednesday, and senior guard Charlisse Leger-Walker, who scored 15. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"I think it's just really hard for other teams to guard us when they're so focused on double-teams, triple-teams [on Betts] when we have such threats on the perimeter," Betts said.
- "It's just really tough to guard them and I'm glad they're all on my team."Head coach Cori Close of the UCLA Bruins points on the sideline during an NCAA basketball game against the Purdue Boilermakers, Wednesday January 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif. Jordan Teller - The Sporting TribuneHead coach Cori Close of the UCLA Bruins points on the sideline during an NCAA basketball game against the Purdue Boilermakers, Wednesday January 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif. Close still looking for improvementNo.
- 3 UCLA (18-1, 8-0) might have beaten Purdue (10-9, 2-6) 96-48, but head coach Cori Close is always looking for improvement.
- A fitting mentality, especially on a night where UCLA honored the legacy of coach John Wooden. Offense is clearly something Close never has to worry about with her roster, which is why defense becomes such a strong emphasis. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementClose with happy with an increase in deflections from the Bruins on Wednesday night, but she knows that it wasn't their cleanest game despite the box score.
