UCLA women’s basketball opens season with win over Lehigh
Usa today news
UCLA’s Timea Gardiner (30) looks for a pass around Lehigh’s Belle Bramer (12) during second quarter action action in the UCLA home opener at Pauley Pavilion on Monday, November 2, 2026. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
UCLA’s Amanda Muse (33), Bonnie Deas (22), and Elina Aarnisalo (7) get out in front of Lehigh’s Alana Reddy (5) for a rebound during second quarter action action in the UCLA home opener at Pauley Pavilion on Monday, November 2, 2026. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
UCLA’s Timea Gardiner (30) knocks the ball from Lehigh’s Olivia Johnston (22) during first quarter action action in the UCLA home opener at Pauley Pavilion on Monday, November 2, 2026. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lehigh’s Belle Bramer (12) is blocked by UCLA’s KK Bransford (14) and Sienna Betts (16) during second quarter action action in the UCLA home opener at Pauley Pavilion on Monday, November 2, 2026. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lehigh’s Ryann Jennings (13) gets blocked by UCLA’s Sienna Betts (16) during second quarter action action in the UCLA home opener at Pauley Pavilion on Monday, November 2, 2026. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lehigh’s Leia Edwards (32) and UCLA’s KK Bransford (14) battle for ball control during second quarter action action in the UCLA home opener at Pauley Pavilion on Monday, November 2, 2026. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lehigh’s Leia Edwards (32) drives to the basket as UCLA’s Bonnie Deas (22) defends on the play during first quarter action action in the UCLA home opener at Pauley Pavilion on Monday, November 2, 2026. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lehigh’s Leia Edwards (32) looks for a pass as UCLA’s Bonnie Deas defends on the play during second quarter action action in the UCLA home opener at Pauley Pavilion on Monday, November 2, 2026. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lehigh’s Belle Bramer (12) takes a shot as UCLA’s Addy Brown (24) defends on the play during second quarter action in the UCLA home opener at Pauley Pavilion on Monday, November 2, 2026. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lehigh’s Leia Edwards (32) gets a shot blocked by UCLA’s KK Bransford (14) during first quarter action action in the UCLA home opener at Pauley Pavilion on Monday, November 2, 2026. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
UCLA’s Donovyn Hunter (4) and Timea Gardiner (30) defends against Lehigh’s Gracyn Lovette (22) during first quarter action action in the UCLA home opener at Pauley Pavilion on Monday, November 2, 2026. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
UCLA’s Timea Gardiner (30) pulls in a rebound in front of Lehigh’s Gracyn Lovette (23) during first quarter action action in the UCLA home opener at Pauley Pavilion on Monday, November 2, 2026. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lehigh’s Leia Edwards (32) drives to the basket as UCLA’s KK Bransford (14) defends on the play during first quarter action action in the UCLA home opener at Pauley Pavilion on Monday, November 2, 2026. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
1 of 13
UCLA’s Timea Gardiner (30) looks for a pass around Lehigh’s Belle Bramer (12) during second quarter action action in the UCLA home opener at Pauley Pavilion on Monday, November 2, 2026. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
LOS ANGELES — Five new players from the transfer portal, zero returning starters, two true freshmen and a No. 11 ranking attached to the UCLA women’s basketball made the defending champions a target for visiting Lehigh of the Colonial League.
UCLA overcame a slow start but found its rhythm in the second half to beat Lehigh 73-53 in its season-opening matinee on Monday at Pauley Pavilion.
It was UCLA’s first game since capturing the National Championship over South Carolina last April. A mixture of returners like Sienna Betts and transfers like Donovyn Hunter meant first-half hiccups.
The Bruins were tied 17-17 after the first quarter and led just 32-27 at halftime before going on a 23-9 run in the third quarter to take control.
Betts led three UCLA players in double figures with 14 points and seven rebounds.
Betts filled the void left by her All-American older sister Lauren. Betts flashed her left-handed jumper and created spacing with her passing at the perimeter.
Hunter, who transferred from TCU, scored 14 points, and KK Bransford, who transferred from Notre Dame, added 10 points for UCLA.
Senior forward Timea Gardiner played in her first game since scoring three points in UCLA’s Final Four loss to UConn on April 4, 2025. She missed her team’s title campaign while recovering from a torn ACL. Gardiner finished with six points and five rebounds.
Lehigh (0-1) attacked UCLA’s defense off the dribble. Sophomore guard Leigh Edwards led Lehigh with 14 points and senior guard Gracyn Lovette added 10 points.
