Elevate your local knowledge

Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!

Select Region

Selecting your primary region ensures you get the stories that matter to you first.

Lauren Betts’ double-double leads No. 4 UCLA women to 80-46 rout of 17th-ranked USC

Lauren Betts' double-double leads No. 4 UCLA women to 80-46 rout of 17th-ranked USC | iNFOnews.ca
UCLA center Lauren Betts reacts after scoring a basket during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Southern California, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lauren Betts had 18 points and 12 rebounds, and No. 4 UCLA routed Jazzy Davidson and 17th-ranked Southern California 80-46 on Saturday night for the Bruins’ eighth win in a row.

Gianna Kneepkens added 15 points, six rebounds and five assists for the Bruins (14-1, 4-0 Big Ten), who took over sole possession of first place in the conference.

Kara Dunn scored 11 points and touted freshman Davidson had 10 points on 4-of-15 shooting for the Trojans (10-4, 2-1), whose three-game winning streak ended at Pauley Pavilion. Davidson matched Betts with three blocks.

USC was without JuJu Watkins, who watched from the bench as she takes the season off while recovering from a torn ACL.

Londynn Jones, who left UCLA after three seasons to join USC, made her third start of the season but wasn’t a factor. She airballed a shot in the first quarter and Bruins fans shouted at her the rest of the game. Jones had six points on 1-of-9 shooting while missing 4 of 5 3-pointers.

The crosstown rivals were tied 16-all after the opening quarter.

UCLA broke the game open in the second period, outscoring USC 27-12. The Trojans were outrebounded 15-3 and shot just 5 of 18 from the floor.

The Bruins used a 16-2 run to go into halftime leading 43-28. Five players scored in the spurt, with Kneepkens and Charlisse Leger-Walker hitting 3-pointers.

UCLA dominated in nearly every category, with Betts helping the Bruins to a 42-10 edge in the paint. Their roster height averages 6-foot-2 and the shorter Trojans were outmatched. UCLA controlled the boards, 46-26.

USC fell to 0-3 against top-5 teams this season, with earlier losses to No. 1 UConn and then-No. 3 South Carolina. The Trojans were held to six points in the fourth quarter against the Bruins.

UCLA’s Kiki Rice added 14 points and eight assists and Gabriela Jaquez had 12 points and six rebounds.

UCLA took a 55-54 lead in the all-time series. Hall of Fame siblings Cheryl Miller (USC) and Reggie Miller (UCLA) sat courtside in their respective alma mater’s jerseys.

Up next

USC: Hosts Oregon on Tuesday.

UCLA: Visits No. 20 Nebraska on Jan. 11.

___

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball

Lauren Betts' double-double leads No. 4 UCLA women to 80-46 rout of 17th-ranked USC | iNFOnews.ca
Southern California guard Jazzy Davidson, right, drives against UCLA guard Kiki Rice (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Lauren Betts' double-double leads No. 4 UCLA women to 80-46 rout of 17th-ranked USC | iNFOnews.ca
UCLA guard Kiki Rice (1) battles for the ball against Southern California guard Kennedy Smith (11) as forward Yakiya Milton (7) watches during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Lauren Betts' double-double leads No. 4 UCLA women to 80-46 rout of 17th-ranked USC | iNFOnews.ca
Southern California guard Kennedy Smith (11) drives against UCLA guard Charlisse Leger-Walker, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Associated Press

Beth Harris

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles