LAS VEGAS — Lauren Betts had her fingerprints all over this win.
The All-American center had 20 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists to lead the third-ranked UCLA women’s basketball team to a 78-60 victory over No. 11 North Carolina on Thursday night in the WBCA Challenge, the Bruins’ second win against a ranked team this week.
UCLA (4-0) also topped No. 6 Oklahoma, 73-59, on Monday night in Sacramento. Coming off the program’s first trip to the NCAA Tournament’s Final Four, the Bruins are making an early case as one of the favorites to get back there.
Kiki Rice overcame slow start to finish with 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting as well as 10 rebounds. Angela Dugalic added 14 points and Gabriela Jaquez scored 12.
Elina Aarnisalo, who transferred from UCLA, led North Carolina (2-1) with 13 points. Indya Nivar and Ciera Toomey each scored 11. Nyla Harris, a transfer from Louisville, was held to six points on 3-of-10 shooting. She scored a combined 25 points in the Tar Heels’ two victories.
The teams swapped several scoring runs before UCLA took charge with a 10-point surge to end the third quarter for a 58-46 lead.
The Bruins dominated inside, winning the rebound battle 46-30 and outscoring the Tar Heels 46-22 in the paint. Four UCLA players had at least eight rebounds.
At least five WNBA teams were represented: the Sparks, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Phoenix and Toronto. Jackie Young, Dana Evans and Kiah Stokes, who helped the Aces win their third championship in four years, watched from courtside seats.
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UCLA plays South Florida in the WBCA Challenge on Saturday at 6 p.m. PT in Las Vegas.