NCAAW: No. 1-ranked UCLA Bruins maintain perch at top of the sport

Conference play is in full swing across women’s college basketball. Here’s a look back at the best moments from the past week’s action:

Bruins are best in class

On Sunday afternoon, Tennessee came up missed 3-pointer short of coming back and beating Oklahoma, with the 87-86 defeat knocking the Lady Vols from the ranks of the undefeated.

That leaves five NCAA Division I teams with perfect records: UCLA, LSU, Maryland, Ohio State and Georgia Tech. Among the bunch, the Bruins are the best, owning by far the highest net rating (51.59) and strength of schedule (10.22) of the undefeateds. UCLA earned their 15th win on Saturday, going to Bloomington and beating Indiana, 73-62. Holding the Hoosiers to a five-point second quarter, along with a 25-point and 12-rebound double-double from junior center Lauren Betts, were the key ingredients to the Bruins’ victory.

Top-ranked UCLA should continue to cruise until they meet fellow unbeaten Maryland on Jan. 26. Before then, however, the Terrapins’ perfection will be tested against the Trojans, as Maryland, after escaping Iowa with a win, hosts USC this Wednesday, Jan. 8. Ohio State also must prevail against the Big Ten’s best to maintain their undefeated mark. On Wednesday, they meet Michigan in Ann Arbor. This week also presents a tough test for LSU, as the Tigers take on the recently-beaten Lady Vols on Thursday. Georgia Tech’s biggest hurdle will come on Jan. 16, when the Jackets go to South Bend to take on Notre Dame.

Fingers crossed for Paige

It seems UConn cannot completely shake the injury bug (curse?) that has afflicted the program over the past few seasons.

After senior guard Azzi Fudd experienced a knee injury scare a few weeks ago, causing her to miss three games, redshirt senior star Paige Bueckers limped off the court during UConn’s 83-52 victory over Villanova on Sunday. With a little more than one minute remaining in third quarter, Bueckers was reaching for a loose ball when a Villanova player dove for the ball, falling into Bueckers’ left knee.

Following the game, UConn head coach Geno Auriemma compared Bueckers’ situation to that of Fudd from a few weeks prior, expressing optimism because Bueckers appeared to have avoided a worst-case outcome.

Bueckers contributed 15 points, nine assists, three rebounds and three steals before her afternoon was cut short. Freshman forward Sarah Strong led the Huskies with 21 points, five boards and four assists.

Bring on the buckets, boards and more

Since the end of the holiday break, there have been no shortage of standout performances from across women’s college basketball. These were some of the most spectacular efforts:

Elle Ladine gift wrapped a 40-piece on Saturday, Dec. 28, with the Washington junior guard swishing six 3s on her way to 40 points in the 90-71 win over Northwestern. She also added six assists and two steals.

Akron senior guard Alexus Mobely closed out 2024 with a high-scoring, stat-stuffing performance on Saturday, Dec. 28, with 30 points, six rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks in the 80-52 victory over Miami-Hamilton.

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