Lauren Betts Stats Tonight - How did UCLA star fare vs South Carolina? (Nov 24)
Lauren Betts dominated the shaded area on Sunday night, tallying a double-double of 11 points and 14 rebounds to lead UCLA to a 77-62 win over South Carolina to stretch their winning streak to five games in the 2024-25 college basketball season.
The 6-foot-7 junior center also had four assists and four blocks in 37 minutes, helping the Bruins give the Gamecocks its first loss of the season and halting South Carolina's 43-game winning streak from last season.
Betts shot 5-of-8 from the field and 1-of-4 from the free throw line. She was also one of the five UCLA players who scored double figures.
The junior center effectively punished the Gamecocks' lack of a post threat, taking advantage of her size in offense and defense. She hauled down six offensive boards and rejected four South Carolina attempts.
Lauren Betts failed to score in the first quarter but focused on defense, hauling down three rebounds and two blocks. Her interior presence allowed UCLA to grab a 20-10 lead in the first 10 minutes of action.
She scored her first point after splitting her free throws at the 9:15 mark of the second quarter. She would hand off an assist to Timea Gardiner, who knocked down a 3-pointer that gave UCLA a 33-17 lead.
Betts provided two more dimes to Elina Aarnisalo, who scored five straight points on a layup and a 3-pointer that hiked the lead to 21, 41-22 with 1:38 remaining in the second period.
She scored her first field goal on a jumper, giving UCLA a 43-22 lead. Betts had three points, eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks at the half.
Lauren Betts put up eight points in the third and fourth quarters and picked up six rebounds, one assist and two blocks as the Bruins kept the pressure on the Gamecocks until the final buzzer.
Here are Lauren Betts' final stats in UCLA's win over South Carolina.
Bruins-Gamecocks Game Recap: Londynn Jones' fiery sniping, Lauren Betts' defense help UCLA beat South Carolina
Londynn Jones fired 15 points on 5-of-5 shooting from the 3-point area to help UCLA give South Carolina its first loss since March 2023. Jones was among five Bruins players in double figures and the Cori Chase-coached team improved to 5-0.
Elina Aarnisalo added 13 points, three rebounds, four assists and one steal. At the same time, Lauren Betts, Kiki Rice and Gabriela Jaquez contributed 11 each for UCLA, who caught South Carolina flat-footed at the start of the game.
The Bruins built a 21-point lead by halftime and the Gamecocks found the deficit too hard to overcome. Betts and company took advantage of their foes' lack of post presence, winning the rebounding battle, 41-34.
Betts' presence intimidated South Carolina's slashers, who were blocked four times. The Bruins' defense limited the Gamecocks to 36.4% shooting from the field.
UCLA will travel to Hawaii this week and compete in the three-day Rainbow Wahine Showdown at SimpliFi Arena in Honolulu. The Bruins will meet UT Martin on Nov. 29, Fresno State on Nov. 30 and conclude their three-game schedule against Hawaii on Dec. 1.
On the other hand, South Carolina will travel to Fort Myers, Florida for the Fort Myers Tip-off. The Gamecocks are set to face Iowa State on Nov. 28 and Purdue on Nov. 30.
What did you think of Lauren Betts' performance against South Carolina? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.