Lauren Betts, No. 5 UCLA Get Past No. 17 Louisville

Betts' Double-Double Leads Bruins to 72-66 Win

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lauren Betts had 22 points and 14 rebounds and No. 5 UCLA held off No. 17 Louisville 72-66 on Sunday. Emily Bessoir added 15 points for the Bruins (4-0), who improved to 3-0 against ranked teams this season. Japreece Dean scored 13 and Charisma Osborne had 11 points. Louisville (2-1) was led by Hailey Van Lith's 18 points. Ahlana Smith added 10 points and Liz Dixon had nine rebounds for Louisville. Betts made a layup to give UCLA a 64-53 lead with 5:30 remaining in the game. Van Lith hit a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 64-56 with 4:45 left. UCLA's advantage was 68-61 with 1:40 to go when Van Lith hit another 3-pointer. After a UCLA turnover, Van Lith hit a jumper to make it 68-66 with 1:05 remaining. Dean hit two free throws with 34.4 seconds left to give UCLA a 70-66 lead. Betts added two more free throws with 12.8 seconds remaining to seal the win. UCLA shot 48.4% from the field, while Louisville shot 38.6%. The Bruins made 5 of 13 from 3-point range and the Cardinals made 6 of 21. UCLA also outrebounded Louisville 38-29.

Betts Continues to Impress

Betts has been one of the most impressive players in the country this season, averaging 21.3 points per game. She has also been a force on the boards, averaging 12.3 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-3 forward is a skilled scorer and rebounder, and she is also a strong defender. She is a key reason why UCLA is ranked No. 5 in the country, and she is a player to watch in the upcoming season.

UCLA's Depth Comes Through

UCLA's depth was on display against Louisville, as four players scored in double figures. Bessoir, Dean, and Osborne all played well, and they helped Betts lead the Bruins to victory. UCLA's depth is one of its strengths, and it could be a major factor in the team's success this season. The Bruins have a lot of talented players, and they can wear down opponents with their depth.

Louisville Shows Fight

Louisville fought hard against UCLA, but the Cardinals ultimately came up short. Van Lith had a strong game, and Smith and Dixon also played well. Louisville is a young team, but it has a lot of potential. The Cardinals have a lot of talented players, and they could make some noise in the ACC this season.