Lauren Betts, No. 4 UCLA women rout Purdue in season opener
The 6-foot-7 transfer from Stanford scores a career-high 20 points on 9-for-11 shooting, grabs seven rebounds and blocks two shots as the Bruins roll to a 92-49 win. Londynn Jones also scores 20 in the wire-to-wire win
UCLA guard Londynn Jones, right, drives against Purdue guard Rashunda Jones during the first half of their season opener on Monday night at Pauley Pavilion. Jones had 20 points as the fourth-ranked Bruins rolled to a 92-49 win. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
UCLA forward Emily Bessoir, right, shoots as Purdue forward Mary Ashley Stevenson defends during the second half of their season opener on Monday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Purdue guard Jeanae Terry, left, drives against UCLA forward Emily Bessoir during the first half of an NCAA women’s college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
UCLA guard Camryn Brown reacts during the first half of an NCAA women’s college basketball game against Purdue, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Purdue forward Mary Ashley Stevenson, right, shoots against UCLA forward Angela Dugalic during the first half of an NCAA women’s college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
UCLA forward Emily Bessoir, left, and Purdue guard Abbey Ellis vie for a rebound during the first half of an NCAA women’s college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
UCLA guard Londynn Jones, right, drives against Purdue guard Rashunda Jones during the first half of their season opener on Monday night at Pauley Pavilion. Jones had 20 points as the fourth-ranked Bruins rolled to a 92-49 win. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Purdue head coach Katie Gearlds reacts during the first half of an NCAA women’s college basketball game against UCLA, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Purdue guard Madison Layden, right, drives against UCLA center Lauren Betts, left, and forward Angela Dugalic during the first half of an NCAA women’s college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Purdue guard Jeanae Terry, left, drives against UCLA guard Charisma Osborne during the first half of an NCAA women’s college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Purdue forward Mila Reynolds reacts from the bench during the first half of an NCAA women’s college basketball game against UCLA, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
UCLA guard Kiki Rice shoots during the first half of an NCAA women’s college basketball game against Purdue, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Purdue head coach Katie Gearlds reacts during the first half of an NCAA women’s college basketball game against UCLA, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
UCLA forward Amanda Muse, center, Purdue guard Jeanae Terry, left, and guard McKenna Layden vie for a rebound during the second half of an NCAA women’s college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
UCLA guard Charisma Osborne, left defends as Purdue forward Caitlyn Harper, middle passes to guard Jeanae Terry during the second half of an NCAA women’s college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
UCLA forward Emily Bessoir, right, drives as Purdue guard McKenna Layden defends during the second half of an NCAA women’s college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
UCLA guard Kiki Rice, left, and Purdue forward Mary Ashley Stevenson vie for the ball during the second half of an NCAA women’s college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
UCLA forward Gabriela Jaquez, left, shoots over Purdue forward Alaina Harper during the second half of an NCAA women’s college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
UCLA head coach Cori Close reacts during the second half of an NCAA women’s college basketball game against Purdue, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Purdue forward Caitlyn Harper, right, passes as UCLA guard Charisma Osborne defends during the second half of an NCAA women’s college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
UCLA guard Londynn Jones (3) reacts after scoring a 3-pointer during an NCAA basketball game against Purdue on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
LOS ANGELES — Lauren Betts wasn’t sure where she should sit at the post-game news conference. The rest of the night the Stanford transfer appeared right at home with her new team.
Betts scored a career-high 20 points in her UCLA debut, Londynn Jones added 20 points and the fourth-ranked Bruins routed Purdue 92-49 Monday night in a matchup of future Big Ten opponents.
“A little bit of nerves but honestly with the confidence of my coaches and my teammates that they have in me, it just makes me go out and do amazing things,” Betts said. “I had a lot of fun. This was such a great first game for me.”
The Bruins never trailed as they opened the 50th year of women’s basketball in Westwood against the alma mater of John Wooden, who guided the UCLA men’s program to 10 of its record 11 national championships.
“We’re not in the Big Ten yet but we’re ready to take them down,” Bruins coach Cori Close said. “I’m cherishing the moments this last Pac-12 year.”
UCLA star Charisma Osborne was scoreless in the first half and finished with 11 points after hitting three 3-pointers in the second half. But the Bruins got plenty of scoring from their other four starters.
“Charisma didn’t get going in the first half, but we had to make sure she got going in the second,” Jones said. “It doesn’t really matter who scores or who gets the credit as long as we’re working together.”
Betts, at 6-foot-7 the tallest player on the floor, transferred from Stanford, where she helped the Cardinal win the Pac-12 regular-season title last season. She shot 9 of 11 from the floor, had seven rebounds and two blocked shots.
“I bring a lot of inside presence. It really helps our shooters get open,” Betts said. “If I just rim run every time and get myself in good position, I think it gives other people great opportunities to score.”
Angela Dugalic added 13 points for the Bruins in her return after missing all of last season because of a knee injury. Kiki Rice had 10 points and 10 assists.
The Boilermakers were led by Caitlyn Harper and Abbey Ellis with 10 points each.
The rout was on early, with UCLA outscoring the Boilermakers 24-8 in the first quarter.
The Bruins used identical 9-0 runs at the end of the first and second quarters to lead 42-24 at halftime. UCLA’s perimeter defense forced the Boilermakers to shoot 4 for 21 from 3-point range.
UCLA had 29 assists on its 35 field goals and made 13 3-pointers.
BIG PICTURE
UCLA: The Bruins showed they have depth if Osborne isn’t dominating on the offensive end. Betts’ height will help them in the low post, whether she’s scoring, rebounding or altering opponents’ shots.
Purdue: The Boilermakers will find out pretty quickly how they stack up by playing four Power 5 teams in their first five games as well as visiting No. 10 Notre Dame in December. They’re looking to make back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances after going 19-11 last season.
UP NEXT
UCLA hosts UC Riverside on Thursday in the second of four straight home games to start the season.
