UCLA Bruins Advance to Big Ten Tournament Championship

On March 7, 2026, the UCLA Bruins women's basketball team secured a 72-62 victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes in the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament held at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. This win marked UCLA's 24th consecutive victory, extending their impressive season record to 30-1. The Bruins, who are the top seed in the tournament, showcased a balanced offensive attack with five players scoring in double figures, led by guard Kiki Rice with 17 points.

New York PostUSA Today247SportsRice leads No. 2 UCLA past No. 11 Ohio State 72-62 in Big Ten tourney semisIndianapolis Star247Sports

UCLA established an early lead, jumping to a 14-3 advantage in the first quarter. Despite a late push from Ohio State, which cut the deficit to seven points in the fourth quarter, the Bruins maintained control throughout the game. UCLA's defense was particularly effective, limiting Ohio State to 36.8% shooting and recording 10 steals and six blocks. The Bruins shot 44% from the field overall, compared to Ohio State's 37%.

No. 5 Ohio State women sunk by rough second quarter, lose to No. 1 UCLA 72-62247SportsRice leads No. 2 UCLA past No. 11 Ohio State 72-62 in Big Ten tourney semis3 storylines and how to watch No. 5 Ohio State women vs. No. 1 UCLA247Sports

Ohio State's Chance Gray was the standout performer for the Buckeyes, scoring 23 points, but the team struggled with consistency, particularly in the second quarter where they managed only six points. The Buckeyes' inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities ultimately hindered their chances of an upset.

No. 5 Ohio State women sunk by rough second quarter, lose to No. 1 UCLA 72-62

In addition to Kiki Rice, UCLA's Lauren Betts and Angela Dugalic each contributed 14 points, with Betts also grabbing nine rebounds. Gianna Kneepkens added 13 points, and Gabriela Jaquez scored 10. For Ohio State, Jaloni Cambridge and Elsa Lemmila supported Gray with 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Rice leads No. 2 UCLA past No. 11 Ohio State 72-62 in Big Ten tourney semis

UCLA head coach Cori Close emphasized the importance of her team's aggressive mindset, stating, “Closer to thrive, how about that? I think that there were some moments... that we sort of got sped up, but I thought our responses were really good.” This reflects her focus on continuous improvement as the Bruins prepare for the championship game.

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UCLA will face either the second-seeded Iowa Hawkeyes or the third-seeded Michigan Wolverines in the Big Ten Tournament final on March 8, 2026. The Bruins are also positioning themselves for a potential No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, with expectations high following their strong performance throughout the season.

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Despite the victory, Ohio State's performance drew criticism for their second-quarter struggles and inability to maintain momentum. Head coach Kevin McGuff noted that the Buckeyes needed to perform at their best to compete with a team like UCLA, which has not lost in Big Ten play this season.

3 storylines and how to watch No. 5 Ohio State women vs. No. 1 UCLA

The Bruins' victory not only advances them to the Big Ten Tournament championship but also solidifies their status as a formidable contender in the NCAA Tournament. With a blend of talent, depth, and strategic coaching, UCLA aims to continue their winning streak and capture another conference title.

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