The UCLA Bruins stunned the archrival No. 2 USC Trojans in the Big Ten Tournament championship game, overcoming a 13-point deficit despite being outrebounded and committing 24 turnovers. This effort included a second-half defensive performance that yielded just 22 points in the last 20 minutes of game time,
Head coach Cori Close and players Lauren Betts, Londynn Jones, and Kiki Rice addressed the media afterward, revealing the emotional and strategic elements behind their victory.
Cori Close Praises UCLA’s Adversity
Cori Close opened with humble reflections on her team’s perseverance despite statistical disadvantages.
“If you told me we were going to turn the ball over 24 times and get outrebounded by 11 and still win, I would have told you you were crazy,” she remarked, crediting nine “kills” as the difference-maker.
Londynn Jones captured the team’s emotions, admitting she was “speechless” after the victory. Players emphasized how they adjusted their approach after previous losses to USC, focusing on hustle plays and fighting for 50-50 balls that had eluded them in earlier matchups.
Kiki Rice and London explained their approach to playing through foul trouble in the crucial third quarter. They focused on smart defensive positioning and communication while emphasizing rebounding, which had been a vulnerability in their previous encounters with the Trojans.
Lauren Betts detailed how she scored 13 of her 17 points in the second half by “taking advantage of my matchup.” She credited Rice’s halftime encouragement about continuing to play aggressively despite not getting calls, demonstrating the team’s mental fortitude.
Bruins Building Momentum Ahead of March Madness
Betts anchored the defense with four blocks but emphasized that success came through collective effort. When asked about defending USC’s guards on the perimeter, she explained, “That’s what the team needed from me at that moment,” highlighting her willingness to push beyond her comfort zone.
Despite collecting numerous accolades, including Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-Conference, and Most Outstanding Player, Betts remained team-focused.
“It’s great, but to be honest, they don’t mean much to me. What means most is this win that this team had,” she stated, reflecting the squad’s championship mindset.
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Close praised Gabriela Jaquez’s pivotal rebounding sequence that helped turn the tide.
“Four straight times down the floor, she got the rebound,” Close noted, appreciating how Jaquez improved defensively to complement her offensive talents, demonstrating the team’s depth beyond its stars.
Looking toward the NCAA Tournament, Close revealed, “As good as we’ve been, we’re not as confident as you would think.” She believes this victory provided crucial confidence heading into March Madness while agreeing with USC’s coach that the winner deserves a No. 1 seed in the “Big Dance.”
Selection Sunday will be held in under a week. At that point, we’ll see if the Bruins get a No. 1 seed and which region they’ll play in.
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