UCLA beats Wisconsin 80-60 and celebrates first Big Ten title with 21st consecutive victory
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lauren Betts had 19 points, 14 rebounds and five assists, and No. 2 UCLA defeated Wisconsin 80-60 for its 21st straight victory Sunday as the Bruins celebrated the program’s first-ever Big Ten championship.
The Bruins (27-1, 17-0) are close to completing their first undefeated league season since 2014-15, when Maryland went 18-0. They finished 14-0 at home and have one away game left.
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Wearing their white title caps, the Bruins gathered at center court in a group hug and posed with the trophy.
UCLA had already clinched the title when it took the court, thanks to No. 13 Iowa’s 62-44 win over sixth-ranked Michigan earlier in the day. Both Michigan and Iowa are in second place with three losses each.
Gabriela Jaquez had 17 points and seven rebounds for the Bruins, who had five players in double figures.
Dorja Zaja scored 16 points and Lily Krahn added 13 for the Badgers (13-15, 5-12). They lost their eighth straight and fell to 2-9 on the road.
Wisconsin hit two quick baskets to open the third and get within seven. Destiny Howell scored and Ronnie Porter hit a triple.
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But the Bruins took over, outscoring Wisconsin 24-15 and taking a 65-49 lead into the quarter.
The Bruins led by 14 points on Jaquez’s 3-pointer early in the second quarter. The Badgers twice cut their deficit to eight points before trailing 41-29 at halftime.
On Senior Day, the Bruins honored Betts, Kiki Rice, Jaquez, Charlisse Leger-Walker, Gianna Kneepkens and Angela Dugalic with flowers before the game. Rice and Jaquez spent all four years of their careers at UCLA; the others moved to Westwood.
Next
Wisconsin: Host No. 13 Iowa on March 1 to end the regular season.
UCLA: Visits rival USC in the regular season finale on March 1.
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