UCLA's Betts scores 22, sets school single-season blocks mark in 70-55 win over No. 25 Illinois

Published Feb. 20, 2025 11:42 p.m. ET

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lauren Betts scored 22 points, Kiki Rice added 16 and third-ranked UCLA pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 70-55 victory over No. 25 Illinois on Thursday night.

Illinois, which had its eight-game winning streak snapped, got 18 points from Adalia McKenzie while Berry Wallace added 13.

Betts, who missed Sunday's 75-69 victory over No. 22 Michigan State due to a right foot injury, blocked six shots, giving her a single-season school record 67. Monique Billings had 66 during the 2016-17 season.

Betts. a junior, was 9 of 18 from the field and grabbed seven rebounds in 34 minutes.

UCLA (25-1, 13-1 Big Ten) is a half game behind Southern California for first place in the Big Ten. With three regular season games remaining, the Bruins are close to wrapping up a double bye for the conference tournament. The top four teams get a double bye.

Illinois (21-6, 11-5) is tied with Maryland for fourth place.

The Illini trailed by 15 points early in the second half, pulled within 48-44 with 6:55 remaining on Bryant's 3-pointer. But UCLA put it out of reach with eight straight points, including five by Rice.

Takeaways

Illinois: The Illini came into the game leading the Big Ten in free throw percentage (79.8%), but were 9 of 16, including 1 of 5 in the first half.

UCLA: This was the Bruins' eighth victory over a ranked team this season.

Key moment

Illinois trailed 40-28 before going on a 11-4 run over the last four minutes of third quarter to get within four going into the final 10 minutes. McKenzie had seven points during the rally.