SACRAMENTO — Gianna Kneepkens scored 20 factors and No. 3 UCLA used an enormous third quarter to draw back from sixth-ranked Oklahoma for a 73-59 victory Monday night time.
Bruins star Lauren Betts had 9 factors on four-for-11 capturing, 10 rebounds and 4 blocked pictures whereas committing seven of her crew’s 16 turnovers. The Bruins (3-0) dominated on the boards, 59-43, in a recreation performed at Golden 1 Center, residence of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings.
Oklahoma bought a scare with 9:16 remaining when senior heart and main scorer Raegan Beers went down awkwardly preventing for a rebound with Betts and grabbed at her proper knee. She returned shortly thereafter and wound up with seven factors and 14 rebounds.
Zya Vann had 13 factors and 6 rebounds for Oklahoma (1-1) and Payton Verhulst completed with 16. She knocked down a three-pointer to finish the third quarter and pull her crew to inside 59-48.
(*3*) got here off the bench to contribute 16 factors and 15 rebounds for UCLA, which shot simply eight for 22 from deep however created alternatives with hustle and energy performs akin to crashing the offensive glass.
The groups confronted off within the second spherical of the 2023 NCAA event with UCLA successful 82-73 to attain the Sweet 16. The Bruins have received the final three conferences.
Oklahoma had per week between its 84-67 season-opening win towards Belmont on Nov. 3, marking the longest break between the primary and second video games to begin a full season — excluding the COVID-19 12 months — since 2002-03.
Oklahoma hasn’t crushed a top-five nonconference opponent since topping No. 3 Duke within the 2001 nationwide semifinal.
Up subsequent for UCLA: vs. North Carolina within the WBCA Challenge at Las Vegas on Thursday.