UCLA Women’s Basketball Eyes Defensive Edge as Big Ten Battles Begin
LOS ANGELES - Before tipoff against Long Beach State last week, UCLA head coach Cori Close wasn’t just pacing the sidelines - she was in front of the cameras, suited up for her analyst duties on Fox’s women’s college basketball coverage. But even as she broke down matchups on national TV, her mind was already on the hardwood at Pauley Pavilion, and more specifically, on what it’s going to take for her Bruins to separate themselves from the nation’s elite.
The fourth-ranked Bruins are firmly in the national championship conversation, right alongside heavyweights like UConn, South Carolina, LSU, and Texas. But Close isn’t content with just being in the mix - she’s focused on what’s missing. And to her, it’s clear: defense is the difference-maker.
“We’re at a really good place offensively,” Close said. “I think we’re in a really good place with our IQ, our commitment to the process. But we still have to get better at (defense) if we expect to be competing for a national championship.”
That’s not just coach-speak. While UCLA has looked dominant in recent wins over Long Beach State and Cal Poly - games where the Bruins flexed their depth and offensive rhythm - the real test is coming. Big Ten play is back, and it’s bringing a different level of physicality and offensive firepower.
UCLA (11-1 overall, 1-0 Big Ten) hits the road for a marquee matchup Sunday against No. 19 Ohio State (11-1, 1-0), a team that can flat-out score.
The Buckeyes are averaging 87.2 points per game, good for 14th in the country. That’s not the kind of offense you can coast against - it’s the kind that exposes any defensive lapse.
The Buckeyes are led by sophomore guard Jaloni Cambridge, a 5-foot-7 spark plug who’s averaging 19.3 points per game while shooting an efficient 51.7% from the field. She may be undersized compared to UCLA’s roster - three inches shorter than any Bruin - but her quickness and scoring instincts make her a real problem. Add in freshman forward Kylie Kitts, who’s putting up 10 points and 7.5 boards per game, and Ohio State has a dangerous mix of youth and production.
For UCLA, the timing of freshman Sienna Betts’ return couldn’t be better. A preseason member of the Naismith National Player of the Year watchlist, Betts is just two games into her collegiate career after missing time with a lower-left leg injury. But she’s already showing flashes of why the hype was so high.
Against Long Beach State, Betts looked comfortable and confident, going 6-for-9 from the field and finishing with 14 points. Her mid-range game and ability to operate in the post were on full display - tools that could become vital as the Bruins face bigger, more physical Big Ten frontcourts.
“I’m still only two games in,” said Betts, who was ranked No. 2 in the class of 2026 by ESPNw. “I just hope to continue to be able to go farther and farther out, but also just maintain my post skills as well because that’s just as important.”
Her passing, a skill head coach Close highlighted after her first game back against Cal Poly, adds another layer to UCLA’s offense. And with her older sister, senior center Lauren Betts, anchoring the paint, the Bruins suddenly have a frontcourt duo that can stretch defenses and share the ball.
That shift could also mean a new role for senior guard Gabriela Jaquez. With Sienna Betts easing into the rotation, Jaquez is expected to take on more ball-handling duties - something she’s ready to embrace.
“(We) have some tough matchups ahead,” Jaquez said. “But we’re going to continue to take in the hard coaching because we know that’s what we need.”
That mindset will be crucial as the Bruins face a challenging two-game road swing. After Ohio State, UCLA travels to Penn State (7-5, 0-1) on Wednesday. While the Lady Lions have struggled - including a recent 16-point loss to Richmond - there’s no such thing as a guaranteed win in conference play, especially on the road.
Injury Update
Senior forward Timea Gardiner, who’s been sidelined since the preseason with a knee injury, could be back soon. Close said the team is working to secure an extra year of eligibility for the Oregon State transfer, but there’s optimism she could return as early as the first week of January.
Upcoming Schedule
**No. 4 UCLA at No.
19 Ohio State**
🗓 Sunday, 11 a.m.
PT
📍 Schottenstein Center, Columbus, Ohio
📺 Big Ten Network | 📻 UCLA Digital Radio
No. 4 UCLA at Penn State
🗓 Wednesday, 11 a.m. PT
📍 Bryce Jordan Center, University Park, Pa.
📺 Peacock | 📻 UCLA Digital Radio
The Bruins have the talent. They’ve got the depth.
And with Sienna Betts back in the mix, they’re starting to look whole again. But if they want to make that leap from contender to champion, the next step is clear: it starts on the defensive end.