Lauren Betts makes her feelings public on the "devastating" Southern California wildfires that took 24 lives
Lauren Betts and the No. 1-ranked UCLA Bruins are on a roll this season. On Wednesday, the junior center led her team to an 83-67 win over the Penn State Lady Lions. The Cori Chase-coached Bruins remain undefeated through 17 games and are sixth in the Big Ten Conference.
UCLA's game plan for this campaign revolves around Betts. However, despite their excellent start, Betts and the Bruins have remained grounded considering the raging wildfires that affected Los Angeles.
During Wednesday's postgame press conference, Betts made her feelings known about the wildfires, specifically talking about the 24 lives that were lost in Southern California and what she learned about how the area bounces back from such a disaster.
"It's devastating," Betts said (17:50.). "Just checking the news, I try to stay away from it as much as I can because (of) coach Cori. It's not amazing to look at but I think having the opportunity to just play basketball and you see all the kids in the crowd, I'm sure they're not in the safest areas.
"But, to come here and watch us play and to be excited about something, I think that's so beautiful. (It) just creates some type of spark in any way that we can, I think that's amazing. But, like what coach Cori said, I really think it's a privilege that we get to do this and just continuing to have their support, I think that's really important."
The Pacific Palisades and Eaton had the most damage to properties and loss of life. It was an unfortunate event, and hopefully, the Bruins' recent performances could serve as a small glimmer of hope for the rebuilding areas.
Lauren Betts doesn't think the changes in schedule due to the wildfires affected team play
Before the matchup against Penn State, No. 1-ranked UCLA was supposed to take on the Northwestern Wildcats on Sunday at home. However, it was postponed due to the ongoing efforts stop to the LA wildfires. Even with the change in schedule and venue, Lauren Betts affirmed that it did not affect how the Bruins performed against the Lady Lions.
"No, I just think we didn't show up the way we needed to today," Betts said (03:45). "I'm not trying to cr*p all over my team. I just think in practice, I thought preparing for this game, we could've done a little better. But I know how capable we are as a team and I just knew what we're trying to do. We hold ourselves to the highest standard at all times.
Betts and the UCLA Bruins will head to Newark, New Jersey, to take on the Baylor Lady Bears on Monday.