SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The UCLA Bruins, ranked third nationally, earned a decisive 73-59 victory over the sixth-ranked Oklahoma Sooners on Monday night. Gianna Kneepkens was a standout performer, contributing 20 points to the Bruin’s winning effort.
In a game held at the Golden1 Center, home of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings, UCLA showcased its dominance on the boards, out-rebounding Oklahoma 59-43. Bruins’ star Lauren Betts added nine points, 10 rebounds, and four blocked shots but faced challenges with ball control, recording seven of her team’s 16 turnovers.
From the Sooners’ roster, Raegan Beers led her team in rebounding with a total of 14, while also contributing seven points. Zya Vann and Payton Verhulst supported their team with 13 and 16 points, respectively. Verhulst’s only three-pointer helped narrow the margin to 59-48 at the end of the third quarter.
Angela Dugalic provided a significant boost off the bench for UCLA, scoring 16 points and gathering 15 rebounds. Despite struggling from long range, shooting only 36.4% (8-for-22) from beyond the arc, the Bruins leveraged their hustle to create numerous second-chance opportunities.
This matchup echoed their previous encounter in the second round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament, where UCLA triumphed 82-73, marking their third consecutive win against Oklahoma.
For their next challenge, the Sooners will host Kansas City at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman on Wednesday at 8 p.m. This game follows a week-long break since their season-opening 84-67 victory over Belmont. This hiatus has been the longest for Oklahoma between its first two games in a season since 2002-03, excluding the COVID-19 years.
Fans looking to support the Sooners can find tickets available, and United States government employees can enjoy free admission with valid identification.
Stay up-to-date with Oklahoma Women’s Basketball by following the Sooners on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. To further support the program, consider joining the 3-Point Club.
