There were no surprises for the No. 2 UCLA Bruins at home against Rutgers. The Bruins extended their winning streak to 16 games with a 86-46 demonstrative win over the Scarlet Knights.
Rutgers guard Faith Blackstone hit a three 45 seconds into the game to give her team a 3-0 lead, but after that shot by Blackstone, it was all Bruins in the game’s remaining 39 minutes. UCLA led 26-6 after the first quarter.
The Bruins would also win the third quarter by 20 points, giving the team plenty of breathing room for the rest of the game. It wasn’t UCLA’s sharpest games, turning the ball over 13 time and shooting only 33% from three but against a Big Ten bottom dweller like Rutgers, it didn’t matter.
As expected, UCLA feasted on the boards, holding a 41-18 rebounding advantage and outscoring Rutgers 44-14. The Bruins had the size advantage at the 1-5 spots, giving the Scarlet Knights a nightmare matchup. It’s games like this that reminds you that the Bruins have an embarrassment of riches on their roster.
While UCLA didn’t shoot the lights out from three, the Bruins didn’t waste their chances on twos, shooting 71% from inside the three point line. Kiki Rice led the Bruins with 17 points, as Gabriela Jaquez added 14 with Lauren Betts, Sienna Betts and Charlisse Leger-Walker all finishing the game with 11 points.
Now, the Big Ten will prove to be more challenging for the Bruins. UCLA will head on the road to face No. 8 Michigan on Sunday and then No. 12 Michigan State next week. If the Bruins can return home from the roadstand unscathed then a regular season Big Ten title seems all but certain.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: No. 2 UCLA adds another Big Ten blowout, demolishes Rutgers 86-46
Reporting by Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
