Lauren Betts and UCLA are Final Four-bound after 70-58 win over Duke
NBC News • • general
Key Points:
- UCLA, led by senior Lauren Betts' 23 points, 10 rebounds, and five blocks, overcame a halftime deficit to defeat Duke 70-58 and advance to the NCAA women's basketball Final Four for the second consecutive year.
- The top-seeded Bruins improved to 35-1 and will face either Texas or Michigan in the national semifinals, aiming for their first NCAA title.
- Duke, led by Taina Mair's 21 points, struggled offensively in the second half and finished 1 of 13 on three-pointers, while UCLA's defense held Duke scoreless for over six minutes late in the third quarter.
- UCLA's comeback was fueled by a 10-2 run in the third quarter, with key contributions from Angela Dugalic and Gianna Kneepkens, who hit a critical three-pointer to give UCLA the lead.
- The game featured a memorable moment during the national anthem when singer Ernestine Balisi performed with a malfunctioning microphone, prompting the crowd to join in until she was given a backup mic.
