Rice, Betts lead No. 3 UCLA past Minnesota 76-58 to win 10th straight game

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Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Mara Braun, left, looks to pass against UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts (51) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Amaya Battle, left, shoots over UCLA Bruins guard Kiki Rice (1) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn) — Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Mara Braun, left, looks to pass against UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts (51) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

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10:05 PM on Wednesday, January 14

By DAVE CAMPBELL

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kiki Rice had 25 points on 8-for-9 shooting and Lauren Betts posted her third straight double-double, leading No. 3 UCLA past Minnesota 76-58 on Wednesday night.

Betts staved off early foul trouble to finish with 17 points and 10 rebounds as the Bruins (16-1, 6-0) stayed unbeaten in Big Ten play and pushed their winning streak to 10 straight games. Their only loss was to No. 4 Texas in Las Vegas on Nov. 26.

Rice hit all three of her 3-point attempts to make the Gophers pay for packing the paint, as the Bruins shot 60% from the floor (27 for 45) against the top defensive team in the nation. UCLA had by far the highest final score in a regulation game this season against Minnesota, which was allowing an average of 51.8 points per game entering the night.

The Gophers lost 100-99 in double overtime to then-No. 7 Maryland on Dec. 7. They beat then-No. 21 USC 63-62 on Sunday for the program's first win over a ranked team since 2019.

Amaya Battle scored 16 points and Mara Braun added 15 points for the Gophers (12-5, 3-3), who forced 17 turnovers but managed only three fast-break points.

As the Bruins have charged through a challenging start to their Big Ten schedule, Betts has been a force all over the floor — and especially around the basket.

The AP Preseason All-American had 18 points, 10 rebounds, five steals and four blocks on Sunday in a win at now-No. 24 Nebraska, one of four opponents ranked in the AP Top 25 at the time of the game and one of four road games for UCLA in a six-game stretch that began after the holiday break.

Up next

UCLA hosts No. 12 Maryland on Sunday, when Minnesota plays at Washington.

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