UCLA Women’s Basketball Dominates Rutgers 86-46 Behind Kiki Rice’s 17 Points

LOS ANGELES — No. 2 UCLA extended its winning streak to 16 games with an 86-46 victory over Rutgers on Wednesday night, continuing its dominant run in the Big Ten.

The Bruins (22-1, 12-0 Big Ten) have consistently overpowered opponents this season, winning by an average margin of 25 to 30 points. Their only defeat came on November 26 against then-No. 4 Texas. Kiki Rice led the charge with 17 points and seven rebounds, while Gabriela Jaquez added 14 points. Lauren Betts contributed 11 points on perfect 5-of-5 shooting in just 14 minutes, marking her most efficient outing despite limited playing time.

UCLA set the tone immediately, scoring 16 consecutive points in the first quarter and holding Rutgers (9-14, 1-11 Big Ten) to just two three-pointers in the period. The Bruins led 26-6 after the opening quarter and maintained control despite Rutgers outscoring them 14-13 in the second, entering halftime with a commanding 40-19 lead.

The third quarter was decisive as UCLA outscored the Scarlet Knights 28-8. Rutgers made just three baskets in the period, including consecutive three-pointers by Lauryn Swann. Betts scored seven of UCLA’s first 12 points before exiting for the remainder of the game. In the fourth, Betts’ younger sister, Sienna, contributed nine of her 11 points, and a three-pointer from Lena Bilic gave UCLA a 43-point lead, the largest margin of the game.

Rutgers struggled to match UCLA’s pace. Swann led the Scarlet Knights with 14 points, but Rutgers committed 18 turnovers, resulting in 25 points for UCLA. The Bruins dominated the boards 41-18 and controlled the paint 44-14, emphasizing their physical and tactical advantage.

UCLA’s performance underscores its status as a Big Ten powerhouse and solidifies its standing for the NCAA tournament, where offensive efficiency and defensive discipline will be critical.

The Bruins will face a significant test Sunday at No. 8 Michigan in a top-of-the-conference showdown. Rutgers will attempt to rebound at home against Minnesota on Sunday, aiming to improve its struggling conference record.