Lauren Betts out with right foot injury for top-ranked UCLA
UCLA center Lauren Betts seated on the bench with a boot, fourth from right, follows the action from the bench during the first half against Michigan State during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025, in Los Angeles. Credit: AP/Kevork Djansezian
LOS ANGELES — Lauren Betts did not play for top-ranked UCLA against No. 22 Michigan State because of a right foot injury.
The Big Ten’s second-leading scorer sat out Sunday’s game at Pauley Pavilion and was wearing a boot on her foot. The 6-foot-7 starting center is day-to-day. Betts missed two games in late December with a minor leg injury.
Betts had her 13th double-double of the season with 18 points and 13 rebounds in a 71-60 loss to sixth-ranked Southern California on Thursday. The defeat snapped UCLA’s 23-game winning streak.
She is averaging 19.5 points and 9.9 rebounds.
Janiah Barker made her third start of the season in place of Betts and finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds as the Bruins rallied to beat the Spartans 75-69.
“She played phenomenal,” forward Timea Gardiner said. “Obviously, we're missing a huge piece with Lauren out, but everyone stepped up in their own way and I think that makes a really great team.”
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UCLA center Lauren Betts (51) looks to shoot against Oregon center Phillipina Kyei (15) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Eugene, Ore., Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. Credit: AP/Thomas Boyd
This story has been corrected to show Betts missed two games earlier this season.
