The UCLA Bruins women’s basketball team hasn’t lost a game in the Big Ten conference this season. The Bruins, in fact, have lost only one game all season and are currently ranked No. 2 in the country.
No. 1 seed UCLA will put its 23-game winning streak on the line Saturday, March 7 against the No. 5 seed Ohio State Buckeyes in the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Bruins beat the Buckeyes 82-75 on Dec. 28 in Columbus, Ohio.
All-American center Lauren Betts leads the Bruins, averaging 16.3 points and 8.8 rebounds. UCLA, which won its first Big Ten Tournament title last season en route to the Final Four, is hoping to make another championship run.
Ohio State has won the Big Ten Tournament five times, the last coming in 2018 with now Indiana Fever All-Star Kelsey Mitchell on the roster. A No. 5 has won the Big Ten Tournament just once before. Indiana did it in 2002.
USA TODAY Sports is following all the action live:
Halftime: UCLA 32, Ohio State 21
UCLA used a 12-2 run over the second quarter to open a double-digit lead, but the Bruins have also had some missed opportunities — including a possession near the end of the quarter when they had three offensive rebounds but couldn’t get the ball in the basket.
Overall, UCLA is shooting 43% from the field and 11% from 3-point range. Kiki Rice is leading UCLA with eight points.
Ohio State is shooting better from 3-point range (33%) than it is from the field (27%). Chance Gray is over half of the Buckeyes’ scoring, with 11 points on 4-of-8 shooting.
UCLA take double-digit advantage
The Bruins are on an 18-9 run to start the second quarter. Kiki Rice has eight points and five rebounds. Gianna Kneepkens has added seven. UCLA is holding Ohio State to 28% shooting.
First quarter: UCLA 14, Ohio State 10
UCLA opened the game on a 12-3 run, but scored just two points in the final five minutes of the quarter. Ohio State took advantage of that to go on a 7-0 run through the final 3 minutes and 44 seconds, cutting its deficit to just four points.
Kiki Rice has six points on 3-of-5 shooting for UCLA.
UCLA opens game on 12-3 run
Ohio State coach Kevin McGuff called an early timeout after UCLA opened the game on a 12-3 run.
The Bruins haven’t had any issues working through Ohio State’s press so far, and they’ve made six of their first seven shots. Ohio State is shooting just 1-of-6 to start the game, with Chance Gray’s 3-pointer being the Buckeyes’ lone field goal.
UCLA defense strong
Lauren Betts gets a big block as the Buckeyes have started 0-for-4 from the field.
What time is UCLA vs. Ohio State?
Date: Saturday, March 7
Time: 2 p.m. ET
Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis)
The UCLA Bruins play the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first Big Ten semifinal game at at 2 p.m. ET Saturday, March 7 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
UCLA vs. Ohio State: TV, streaming
TV: Big Ten Network
Stream: Sling TV
No. 1 UCLA vs. No. 5 Ohio State | 2 p.m., Big Ten Network
UCLA starting lineup
Head coach: Cori Close
1 Kiki Rice | G 5-11 Senior
5 Charlisse Leger-Walker | G 5-10 Graduate
8 Gianna Kneepkens | G 6-0 Graduate
11 Gabriela Jaquez | G 6-0 Senior
51 Lauren Betts | C 6-7 Senior
Ohio State starting lineup
Head coach: Kevin McGuff
Jaloni Cambridge | G 5-7 Sophomore
Ava Watson | G 5-8 Sophomore
Chance Gray | G 5-9 Senior
Kennedy Cambridge | G 5-8 Junior
Elsa Lemmila | C 6-6 Sophomore