UCLA Women’s Basketball Secures Historic Win Over Wisconsin

The UCLA women’s basketball team carved out a place in history with an emotional, commanding win over Wisconsin. On February 22, 2026, the No. 2 Bruins celebrated their seniors in style, clinching an 80-60 victory at Pauley Pavilion.

This win stretched their streak to 21 games and marked their first-ever outright Big Ten conference championship. Head coach Cori Close and her squad set a new bar for the program, packing the day with heartfelt moments and some jaw-dropping performances.

The Emotional Senior Day at Pauley Pavilion

Senior Day at Pauley Pavilion felt unforgettable. Each senior walked the line with their families, collecting flowers, hugs, and plenty of praise for what they’ve meant to UCLA basketball.

The crowd buzzed with energy as fans and teammates cheered the seniors’ dedication and grit. Honestly, you could feel the pride in the air—it was something special.

Key Performances by Seniors

Every senior left their mark on the win over Wisconsin. In the first quarter alone, each one scored, showing just how fired up and focused they were.

They hustled for rebounds, made smart passes, and set the tone. Coach Close didn’t hold back, saying these seniors have raised the standard for everyone who follows.

Outstanding Individual Performances

Lauren Betts put on a show with 19 points and 14 rebounds—just relentless out there. Her double-double kept UCLA in control from start to finish.

Gabriela Jaquez added 17 points and seven boards, crashing the offensive glass with real purpose. She brought a spark every time she touched the ball.

Contributions from Other Key Players

Gianna Kneepkens and Kiki Rice chipped in 13 points each. Sophomore Sienna Betts came off the bench and swatted three shots away.

Everyone pitched in, and that collective effort made sure UCLA never let Wisconsin get too close.

Securing the Big Ten Championship

Even before tip-off, UCLA had already locked up their first outright Big Ten title thanks to No. 6 Michigan’s loss to No. 13 Iowa. That’s a huge deal for a program that last shared a conference crown with Oregon back in 1998-99.

Focus on Celebrating the Seniors

With the title in the bag, the mood shifted to honoring the seniors. The Bruins played a little looser, letting Wisconsin hang around in the first half.

But midway through the third, UCLA buckled down and pulled away, leaving no doubt about the outcome.

Game Highlights

Wisconsin’s Ronnie Porter and Jovana Spasovski hit jumpers to close the gap to eight. Porter drilled a three early after halftime, cutting it to seven.

UCLA answered right back—Betts and Jaquez each finished three-point plays. Charlisse Leger-Walker and Angela Dugalic knocked down threes, and Sienna Betts fought for a putback that pushed the lead to 18.

Final Moments and Celebrations

In the fourth, Betts hit a smooth fade-away jumper, and Dugalic raced coast-to-coast for a layup. With 20 seconds to go, Rice stole the ball from Lily Krahn (who led Wisconsin with 13 points) and scored before Coach Close called timeout.

The seniors left the court to standing ovations, soaking in their last regular season moments at Pauley Pavilion. It was pure emotion—hard not to get a little choked up watching it.

Coach Cori Close’s Reflections

Coach Close couldn’t hide her pride. She called this one of the best teams in UCLA history and credited the seniors for blazing a trail for future Bruins.

Her words to the fans were heartfelt, and you could tell the day’s meaning went beyond just another win. These seniors left a mark that’ll last a long time.