UCLA guard Kiki Rice (1) drives as Washington forward Dalayah Daniels (14) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)
UCLA center Lauren Betts (51) goes up to shoot as Washington forward Tayra Eke (32) and guard Chloe Briggs (11) defend during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)
UCLA guard Kiki Rice, right, looks to shoot as Washington forward Dalayah Daniels (14) and guard Sayvia Sellers (0) defend during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)
UCLA center Lauren Betts (51) warms up before an NCAA college basketball game against Washington, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)
UCLA guard Kiki Rice, right, drives as Washington guard Hannah Stines, left, defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)
Washington guard Elle Ladine (24) holds the ball as UCLA center Lauren Betts (51) defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)
Washington guard Elle Ladine, right, looks to pass the ball as UCLA forward Angela Dugalic (32) defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)
UCLA center Lauren Betts (51) looks to shoot as Washington’s Hannah Stines (1) and Tayra Eke, left, defend during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)
UCLA head coach Cori Close talks to her bench during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Washington, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)
Washington guard Elle Ladine, right, holds the ball as UCLA guard Kiki Rice (1) defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)
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UCLA guard Kiki Rice (1) drives as Washington forward Dalayah Daniels (14) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)
SEATTLE — Lauren Betts had 23 points and top-ranked UCLA women’s basketball survived a late challenge with a 73-62 victory over Washington in the Big Ten opener for both teams.
Kiki Rice added 18 for the undefeated Bruins (9-0, 1-0), who led by as many as 17 in the third quarter.
Elle Ladine led the Huskies (7-3, 0-1) with 19 points, going 3 for 5 from beyond the arc. Dalayah Daniels added 14 points.
Sayvia Sellers and Ladine hit back-to-back 3-pointer to close Washington’s deficit to 64-59 with 4:04 left. But the Bruins answered with a 7-0 run and were not threatened the rest of the way.
UCLA led 35-25 at the half.
UCLA: Despite having its toughest rebounding battle of the season, UCLA outscored its hosts 50-22 in the paint, and 12-3 on the fastbreak.
Washington: It’s the second close loss to a top-10 team for the Huskies, who fell to No. 5 LSU 68-67 in the Bahamas on Nov. 25 in a game they led until the final seconds.
After Washington got within five in the final quarter, Betts got the ball on UCLA’s ensuing possession and scored on a jumper and a free throw. She added a layup in the paint and Gabriela Jaquez added a fast-break basket to seal it.
For the first time this season, UCLA — which came into the day as the fourth-best rebounding team in the country — lost the battle on the glass, with the Huskies outrebounding the Bruins 32-30.
UCLA will return to Southern California and play at Long Beach State on Saturday. Washington will stay at home and host Utah in a nonconference matchup on Saturday.
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