The UCLA Bruins are Final Four bound after beating the LSU Tigers 72-65.

UCLA Bruins #11 Gabriela Jaquez (G) pushing the ball upcourt early in the first quarter. Photo by Corey Mueller/UCLA March 30, 2025.

SPOKANE WA, - The No.1 UCLA Bruins (34-2) got the monkey off their backs and will be going to the NCAA Tournament Final Four for the first time in school history after beating the No. 3 LSU Tigers (31-6) at Spokane Arena 72-65 in front of a crowd about 9,000 plus.

The difference in this game was the Bruins were more physical in the paint and on defense than last year, and despite turning the ball over 15 times, they showed mental toughness late in the fourth quarter. UCLA was also 10 of 24 from three-point range (41.7 Percent).

Gabriela Jaquez led UCLA in scoring with 18 points and eight rebounds, Lauren Betts with 17 points, seven rebounds, and six block shots, Timea Gardiner with 15 points, Kiki Rice with 8 points and eight rebounds, and Janiah Barker with 6 points.

"I think the game was won in the poise and the choice to go back to neutral, get ourselves refocused, and make the next right step," UCLA coach Cori Close said after her players dumped a cooler of confetti over her head and she led fans in an eight-clap while waving the net she had cut down.

UCLA jumped out to a 7-2 lead in the first quarter after a layup by Lauren Betts. LSU got their first lead 11-9 with a jump shot by Aneesah Morrow.

Betts had to leave the game after picking up two quick fouls that seemed to motivate her teammates. The first quarter would end with the Tigers up 13-9.

"I have full confidence in them," Betts said of her teammates. "Obviously I'm more mad at myself that I had two fouls. But this is what we're talking about when we say we have a deep team. I don't have to be in the game at all times. I have a team full of players that are just amazing and talented in their own right, and put in the work."

UCLA head coach Cori Close decided to sit Betts down the whole second quarter, and that move paid off. The Bruins would regain the lead 17-15 with a three-pointer by Timea Gardiner.

Gabriela Jaquez would drive to the basket for a layup to give the Bruins a seven-point lead, 30-23, and lead at halftime, 31-25.

UCLA Bruins #51 Lauren Betts (C) being guarded on the left side of the court by LSU Tigers #5 Sa’Myah Smith (F). Photo by Corey Mueller/UCLA March 30, 2025.

LSU trailed 38-29 with a driving layup by Morrow in the third quarter. Jaquez would pull up from the left side of the basket for a three-pointer to give the Bruins a 43-29 lead.

The Tigers went on a run and were down five points at the end of the third quarter, 46-41, after a layup by Mikayla Williams.

UCLA would go up by eight points early in the fourth quarter, 49-41, after another three-point shot from Gardiner. Kiki Rice would pass the ball to the hot Gardiner for another three-pointer to give the Bruins a 54-45 lead.

The Bruins had to be thinking Deja Vu over again as the Tigers scrapped back down 55-51 with two free throws by Flau'Jae Johnson with 4:56 left in the game.

Jaquez made two free throws to give UCLA a 59-53 lead with 2:05 left on the clock. LSU with 42 seconds left in the game trailed 64-58 with a three-pointer by Johnson.

The Bruins would hold off the late surge by the Tigers to advance to the Final Four on Friday, April 4 to take on either the UConn Huskies or the USC Trojans.