Lauren Betts’ UCLA Bruins are taking on the South Carolina Gamecocks in the National Championship game today at the PHX Arena in Phoenix. The Bruins are chasing their first NCAA title against an opponent that has won three titles before.
The Bruins’ success will heavily depend on Lauren Betts and how she performs today. She has been the best player on the team throughout the season, averaging 17.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game while shooting over 58% from the field.
However, the Bruins were in shock in the opening minutes of the game. For a while, it seemed like Betts was struggling with something. It could’ve been an injury, maybe she was feeling unwell, or it could be something else. We wouldn’t know until the end of the game.
Betts missed a major portion of the first quarter. She was seen sitting on the bench, and she was checking her throat. The UCLA star was seen coughing into a towel for several minutes. The visuals sent shockwaves across the Bruins fanbase.
Fans immediately rushed to social media to express their concern and check for answers if someone had an idea of what was going on.
“Lauren Betts scared me a lil bit. Sister was turning red when they were checking her throat. Hopefully at halftime they can take a better look,” a fan wrote.
At halftime, Betts told ESPN’s Holly Rowe that she felt like something was stuck in her throat.
“I think it’s really dry out in here Phoenix, it felt like I had something stuck in there,” she said. “But it’s good. I’m all good.”
Fortunately, the issue didn’t keep her away from the game for long. Betts joined her team on the floor and immediately went to work. With less than two minutes to go for halftime, she spent 13 minutes on the floor for six points and seven rebounds.
At the time of reporting, the Bruins were leading 34-21.
Lauren Betts Defended Madison Booker After Final Four Win
Madison Booker, who shot nearly 51% from the field throughout the season, struggled when the Texas Longhorns faced the UCLA Bruins in the Final Four matchup. She ended up with just six points on 3 of 23 from the field.
Amid heavy criticism, Lauren Betts came to her defense, asking people not to pile on her disappointment over the loss.
“She’s such an amazing player,” she said. “I don’t want yesterday to take over the fact that she’s had an amazing season. I’ve seen a lot of the stuff that she’s getting right now. She really doesn’t deserve it all.”
Betts asked people not to be too harsh with their criticism of her performance, as some of the things being said about her were hurtful.
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