WOMENS BASKETBALL
UCLA 82, Utah 52
BETH HARRIS
ASSOCIATED PRESS
LOS ANGELES - Londynn Jones had career highs of 23 points and seven 3-pointers, and 12th-ranked UCLA led all the way in beating No. 18 Utah 82-52 to avenge an overtime loss a month ago.
Lauren Betts added 14 points and six rebounds and Charisma Osborne had 13 points, five rebounds and seven assists for the Bruins (21-5, 10-5 Pac-12). They snapped a three-game skid against the Utes after losing 94-81 in Salt Lake City.
Alissa Pili had 20 points — making all 10 of her free throws — and 11 rebounds for the Utes (19-8, 9-6). She scored their first eight points of the fourth, but the Bruins were soon ahead by 33 points.
The Bruins dominated the third quarter, allowing just nine points while outscoring the Utes 20-2 in one stretch. Pili had just four in the period when the Bruins led 59-34 going into the fourth.
Jones hit three 3-pointers during the Bruins’ run. Betts launched the spurt by grabbing Kiki Rice’s missed 3-point attempt and scoring. A couple plays later, Betts snagged a defensive rebound and passed to Rice, who fed Angela Dugalic for a basket. Rice finished with 13 points and six assists.
Jones made two more 3s in the fourth.
UCLA set the tone from the opening tip, racing to a 12-0 lead. The Bruins used a 5-0 run to push their lead to 15 points later in the first quarter.
Utah closed within eight in the second quarter before UCLA scored the final six points to lead 39-25 at the break.
Utah’s Jenna Johnson caught an elbow in the head from Christeen Iwuala in the first quarter. She was bloodied and left the court to get stitches. She returned after halftime but didn’t score.
BIG PICTURE
Utah: The Utes came in off a one-point upset of then-No. 8 Colorado, but they could never get untracked against the Bruins’ defense. They committed 20 turnovers that led to 26 points by the Bruins.
UCLA: The Bruins have won four of five but have to regroup quickly since they’ll be facing their second straight ranked opponent on Monday. After that, they close out the regular season with a trip to the Arizona schools.
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
February 22, 2024
