{"id":104169,"date":"2025-12-21T21:21:40","date_gmt":"2025-12-21T21:21:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/104169\/"},"modified":"2025-12-21T21:21:40","modified_gmt":"2025-12-21T21:21:40","slug":"no-4-ucla-women-rout-long-beach-state-to-cap-nonconference-slate-press-enterprise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/104169\/","title":{"rendered":"No.\u00a04 UCLA women rout Long\u00a0Beach\u00a0State to cap nonconference slate \u2013 Press Enterprise"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"UCLA<\/p>\n

UCLA guard Kiki Rice drives as Long Beach State guard Khylee Pepe, right, defends during the second half on Saturday afternoon at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"Long<\/p>\n

Long Beach State guard Brynna Pukis, left, drives against UCLA guard Lena Bili\u0107, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"UCLA<\/p>\n

UCLA center Lauren Betts (51) shields the ball from Long Beach State guard Khylee Pepe (13) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"UCLA<\/p>\n

UCLA forward Sienna Betts (16) and Long Beach State forward Kennan Ka, front, dive for the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"UCLA<\/p>\n

UCLA forward Sienna Betts (16) shoots as Long Beach State guard Jaquoia Jones-Brown, center, and guard Khylee Pepe, right, watch during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"Long<\/p>\n

Long Beach State guard Jaquoia Jones-Brown (30) shoots against UCLA guard Charlisse Leger-Walker, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"UCLA<\/p>\n

UCLA guard Gabriela Jaquez (11) dribbles against Long Beach State forward Judit Oliva Fernandez, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"Long<\/p>\n

Long Beach State forward Judit Oliva Fernandez (42) shoots against UCLA guard Gabriela Jaquez (11) as guard Kiki Rice, back right, watches during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"UCLA<\/p>\n

UCLA center Lauren Betts, center, shoots as guard Charlisse Leger-Walker, left, Long Beach State guard Khylee Pepe, second from right, and forward Kennan Ka, right, watch during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"UCLA<\/p>\n

UCLA center Lauren Betts (51) reacts after scoring a basket during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Long Beach State, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"UCLA<\/p>\n

UCLA guard Kiki Rice (1) drives against Long Beach State guard Tairat Samuel-Afolabi, left, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"Long<\/p>\n

Long Beach State forward Rosie Akot (2) drives against UCLA center Lauren Betts, back left, as guard Gianna Kneepkens, right, watches during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"UCLA<\/p>\n

UCLA forward Angela Dugali\u0107 (32) looks to shoot against Long Beach State forward Kennan Ka, left, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"UCLA<\/p>\n

UCLA guard Gabriela Jaquez, right, reacts after making a three point basket as Long Beach State center Haley Wright (33) runs during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"UCLA<\/p>\n

UCLA guard Gabriela Jaquez (11) drives against Long Beach State guard Lauren Cummings, right, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"UCLA<\/p>\n

UCLA guard Gabriela Jaquez celebrates during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Long Beach State, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"UCLA<\/p>\n

UCLA forward Angela Dugali\u0107 (32) drives against Long Beach State guard Lauren Cummings, left, and forward Judit Oliva Fernandez, right, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"UCLA<\/p>\n

UCLA head coach Cori Close reacts during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Long Beach State, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"UCLA<\/p>\n

UCLA center Lauren Betts (51) shoots during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Long Beach State, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"UCLA<\/p>\n

UCLA guard Kiki Rice (1) drives to the basket against Long Beach State guard Khylee Pepe (13) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"UCLA<\/p>\n

UCLA center Lauren Betts (51) drives against Long Beach State forward Rosie Akot (2) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"UCLA<\/p>\n

UCLA center Lauren Betts celebrates during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Long Beach State, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"UCLA<\/p>\n

UCLA guard Lena Bili\u0107 (9) shoots against Long Beach State forward Rosie Akot (2) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"UCLA<\/p>\n

UCLA forward Angela Dugali\u0107, front center, celebrates from the bench as head coach Cori Close, back left, and video coordinator Alex Zachem, back right, react during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Long Beach State, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"UCLA<\/p>\n

UCLA center Lauren Betts looks on before an NCAA college basketball game against Long Beach State, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"Long<\/p>\n

Long Beach State forward Kennan Ka looks on before an NCAA college basketball game against UCLA, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 26<\/p>\n

UCLA guard Kiki Rice drives as Long Beach State guard Khylee Pepe, right, defends during the second half on Saturday afternoon at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

LOS ANGELES \u2014 The UCLA women\u2019s basketball team finished the nonconference portion of its schedule much the way it began.<\/p>\n

With another lopsided win.<\/p>\n

The fourth-ranked Bruins hosted Long Beach State on Saturday afternoon at Pauley Pavilion and ran away with a 106-44 victory.<\/p>\n

UCLA (11-1) began the season with a 77-53 win against visiting San Diego State<\/a> on Nov. 3 and every victory since has come by 14 points or more, including back-to-back wins over No. 8 Oklahoma<\/a> and No. 18 North Carolina<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The only hiccup for the Bruins came in a 76-65 loss to No. 2 Texas in a semifinal of the Players Era Championship<\/a> on Nov. 27 in Las Vegas.<\/p>\n

The Bruins were coming off a 115-28 victory against Cal Poly on Tuesday<\/a>, their largest margin of victory in the NCAA era.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe reality, even the last two games, is the fight for consistency and the fight for growth,\u201d UCLA coach Cori Close said. \u201cYou\u2019re either going to leave for the break and go, \u2018Man, I earned this break, and I can take a deep breath and know that I can regroup, enjoy my family, enjoy a break from basketball.\u2019 Or, you can be like, \u2018We didn\u2019t really finish that well. Practice is going to be really hard when we get back.\u2019 They have to earn the confidence and peace that they want, and I\u2019ve been really proud.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gabriela Jaquez greeted LBSU by making all four of her 3-point attempts in the first quarter and the remaining members of the Bruins\u2019 rotation began chipping in from there.<\/p>\n

Jaquez shot 5 for 6 from 3-point range and finished with 17 points, 6-foot-7 center Lauren Betts also scored 17, and Kiki Rice had 15 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and four steals for UCLA, which resumes Big Ten Conference play on Dec. 28 at No. 22 Ohio State.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I think I loved the most was the percentages of baskets that are assisted,\u201d Close said. \u201cYou look at Charlisse Leger-Walker and Kiki Rice, 17 assists between the two of them and one turnover. When your two lead guards are that selfless, and getting the ball to people in good situations, that\u2019s a pretty good foundation to build on from an offensive perspective.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sienna Betts, the younger sister of Lauren Betts and the No. 2 recruit in the nation last year, contributed 14 points and five rebounds off the bench in her second game since missing the first 10 because of a lower left leg injury.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just really grateful to play the game of basketball,\u201d the younger Betts said. \u201cYou don\u2019t realize how much you appreciate it until it\u2019s gone, so it just makes me super excited to be here and be with my teammates.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angela Dugalic added 13 points in a reserve role and Gianna Kneepkens had 10 points and 10 rebounds for UCLA.<\/p>\n

Long Beach (0-10), which has struggled after losing its top five scorers from last season\u2019s 16-14 team, has lost six straight by double figures.<\/p>\n

JaQuoia Jones-Brown, who was the top returning scorer for LBSU at 7.1 points per game, scored all of her team-high 10 points in the first quarter.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot that many local teams are willing to play us and (Long Beach) has stepped up year over year,\u201d Close said.<\/p>\n

Jaquez sank her third 3-pointer in the opening 3\u00bd minutes without a miss to give the Bruins an early 12-4 lead.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust confident out there,\u201d Jaquez said. \u201cI know what I want my shot to feel like, and they have confidence in me and my teammates set me up. It\u2019s really hard to guard all of us on the court, so they create open shots for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Long Beach guard Khylee Pepe picked up two fouls in the first 1:08 and Rosie Akot replaced her.<\/p>\n

LBSU stayed within single digits until Angela Dugalic made two free throws to extend the lead to 16-5 with 4:18 left in the first quarter.<\/p>\n

Jaquez sank her fourth 3-pointer of the opening quarter from the baseline with 2:52 left to stretch the lead to 21-5.<\/p>\n

Sienna Betts checked in with 4:18 left in the opening quarter and made a layup and then a pull-up jumper in the key with four seconds left to give the Bruins a 29-11 lead entering the second.<\/p>\n

The Bruins called timeout and pushed the reset button after LBSU cut it to 37-18 on a 3-pointer by Morgan Mack with 7:07 left in the first half.<\/p>\n

UCLA then scored the next nine points, capped by Rice\u2019s steal and uncontested layup for a 44-18 lead with 3:55 left in the half.<\/p>\n

The Bruins eventually took a 57-23 lead into intermission after shooting 68% from the floor and holding LBSU to 35%.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s against human nature that when the score is not giving you the feedback and you know you can cut some corners and still win the game, to stay process-oriented, to surrender the outcomes and be committed to growth and consistency,\u201d Close said. \u201cWere we perfect all the time? No. Do we still need to grow in that area? Yes. But I thought we made really big strides.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"UCLA guard Kiki Rice drives as Long Beach State guard Khylee Pepe, right, defends during the second half…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":103292,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[10990,29668,4213,1327,131,133,132,26758,127,10992,25919],"class_list":["post-104169","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-long-beach","tag-big-ten-conference","tag-big-west-conference","tag-college-basketball","tag-college-sports","tag-long-beach","tag-long-beach-headlines","tag-long-beach-news","tag-long-beach-state-sports","tag-sports","tag-ucla-sports","tag-ucla-womens-basketball"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104169","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=104169"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104169\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/103292"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=104169"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=104169"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=104169"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}