In an exhilarating NCAA tournament game, Lauren Betts of UCLA women's basketball made history by scoring 30 points and grabbing 14 rebounds, a first for UCLA in tournament history. Coach Cori Close aimed to highlight Betts' incredible performance by substituting her in for a final moment of celebration. Betts not only displayed offensive prowess with 14-of-17 shooting but also contributed defensively. Her presence on the court continually disrupts opponents, making it almost impossible to guard her, thus benefiting her teammates as well. Betts is recognized as a generational talent by Close.
On a night the Spiders had pushed the Bruins hard, sending them into halftime with the score tied, Betts was the difference-maker. When she received the ball in the post, she was swarmed by Richmond defenders and still managed to score at will.
Close said. "The scouting report starts with Lauren every time. And so it's really almost an impossible task [to guard her]. And our other players are the beneficiary of the attention that she draws every single night."
"She's an absolute generational player ... an elite player," Close said. "She's incredibly competitive. She affects the game in so many ways on both offense and defense. I mean the list goes on and on."
Close said that at halftime, she called on Betts to take over the game with her defense. "I just told her, you're not the national defensive player of the year candidate for just in the post."
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