Lauren Betts shines as No. 3 UCLA women rout San Diego State 77-53 in season opener

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UCLA center Lauren Betts shoots a free throw during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against San Diego State Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

UCLA guard Charlisse Leger-Walker (5) reacts after a 3-point basket as San Diego State guard Naomi Panganiban (24) looks on during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh) — UCLA center Lauren Betts shoots a free throw during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against San Diego State Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

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8:50 PM on Monday, November 3

By BETH HARRIS

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Lauren Betts scored 21 points on 9 of 12 shooting and No. 3 UCLA routed San Diego State 77-53 on Monday night in the teams' season opener.

Gabriela Jaquez added 15 points, 11 rebounds and five assists, and former Pac-12 freshman of the year Charlisse Leger-Walker had 12 points and five assists for the Bruins in what was billed as the Orange County Hoops Classic. They made the 44-mile trip to Honda Center in Orange County on the same night the 12th-ranked Bruins men's team opened at Pauley Pavilion.

The Bruins are coming off a Final Four appearance last season.

Six of UCLA's first eight games will be played at neutral sites, including two visits to Las Vegas in a three-week span.

Kaelyn Hamilton scored 11 points, and Nat Martinez and Nala Williams had 10 each for the Aztecs. They were better in 3-point shooting than the Bruins, hitting 10 of 25, with Hamilton making three.

Betts got double-teamed most of the game, but at 6-foot-7, she was the tallest player on the court and often outmuscled the Aztecs' defense down low. The Bruins controlled the boards, 49-25, with Amanda Muse grabbing seven off the bench.

The Bruins broke the game open in the third, opening with a 16-2 run that produced a 29-point lead, their largest of the game. Jaquez had seven points and Betts had six. The Aztecs closed the quarter by outscoring the Bruins 14-5, but still trailed 58-38.

The Bruins were without touted freshman Sienna Betts, younger sister of Lauren, and Timea Gardiner, the team's leading 3-point shooter last season who has a knee injury. Betts hurt her lower left leg in a scrimmage.

The Bruins beat the Aztecs for the seventh straight time and lead the all-time series 26-6.

Up next

San Diego State hosts Cal State San Marcos on Saturday.

UCLA hosts UC Santa Barbara in the Bruins' home opener on Thursday.

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