UCLA shakes off a slow start and rolls to 53-point victory in the round of 64

UCLA opened up their 2026 NCAA tournament with a matchup against Cal Baptist. The No. 1 seeded Bruins started the game slow and let Cal Baptist hang around for most of the first half. It was just 44-34 at halftime and then UCLA came out in the second half and just took complete control of the game. All starting in the third quarter where are they outscored Cal Baptist 31-4. Whatever speech was given at halftime it worked and woke these ladies up.

UCLA has high hopes of winning a national championship this year. They’re now on a 26-game winning streak and currently have their best team ever. They’re elite on both ends of the floor and their entire starting lineup can play both ways. They’re led by one of the best players in the nation in Lauren Betts. The Bruins will graduate out their top six players to the WNBA. Marking the most change, they have had in four years at the conclusion of this NCAA tournament.

The Bruins shot 50% from the floor on offense. But what was most impressive is they held Cal Baptist to 16/64 shooting from the field, which measures out to only 25%. UCLA quite possibly has the best defense in the nation and can shut down pretty much anybody. They have proved it all year with their wins being 40-50 points on many nights. The 96-43 final score is impressive as the Bruins outscored Cal Baptist 52-9 in the second half.

UCLA will now have a matchup in the round of 32 against No. 8 seeded Oklahoma State. That will take place tomorrow night as UCLA looks to make the Sweet 16. The Bruins can build off of their second half in this game going into the Oklahoma State game. The Cowboys are 24-9 on the season and we were able to beat Princeton in the round of 64 by a final score of 82-68. UCLA figures to be large favorites in this game as well.