UCLA Bruins vs Washington Huskies Big Ten Tournament - Quarterfinal No. 2 UCLA overcame a slow start to defeat Washington 78-60 in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals on Friday, March 6, 2026. Big Ten Player of the Year Lauren Betts led the Bruins with 26 points and eight rebounds, while Kiki Rice contributed 18 points and six assists. The victory extended UCLA’s winning streak to 23 games, matching the school’s longest streak in history, and marked their 22nd consecutive Big Ten win. Washington, the regular-season champion, struggled to contain UCLA’s offensive surge. Avery Howell scored 18 points for the Huskies, but the team’s two-game winning streak ended with its second loss to the Bruins this season. The game began with Washington taking an early 13-6 lead after the first quarter, and the Huskies extended their advantage to 22-12 in the second quarter. However, UCLA responded with a 15-point run, fueled by Betts and Rice, to take a 27-24 halftime lead. The Huskies fought back in the third quarter, re-taking a 34-33 lead on Elle Ladine’s three-pointer. UCLA answered with a 7-0 run, including a three from Rice and two free throws from Betts, to build a 40-34 edge. Washington remained competitive but couldn’t close the gap as UCLA closed the quarter on a 7-0 spurt, making it 49-41. The Bruins maintained their lead in the fourth quarter to secure the win. Washington’s postseason fate will be determined in the coming weeks, while UCLA faces No. 11 Ohio State in the semifinals on Saturday. The game, played in front of a sparse midday crowd in Indianapolis, highlighted UCLA’s resilience and dominance in the tournament.#big_ten_tournament #ucla_brains #washington_huskies #lauren_betts #kiki_rice
