UCLA Women's Basketball Advances to Final Four

Bruins rally past Duke in second half to reach national semifinals

Mar. 30, 2026 at 12:27am

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The UCLA women's basketball team, led by senior center Lauren Betts, overcame a halftime deficit to defeat Duke and advance to the NCAA Final Four. The Bruins used a strong second-half performance to secure the victory and extend their season.

Why it matters

UCLA's run to the Final Four is a significant achievement for the program, which has not reached this stage of the NCAA Tournament since 2018. The Bruins' success this season has generated excitement among their fans and highlighted the talent of their veteran roster, particularly standout senior Lauren Betts.

The details

After trailing Duke at halftime, UCLA stormed back in the second half, outscoring the Blue Devils 45-30 to secure the come-from-behind victory. Senior center Lauren Betts led the Bruins' charge, finishing with a team-high 18 points and 12 rebounds. UCLA's veteran leadership and second-half adjustments proved to be the difference in the hard-fought contest.

  • The game was played on March 29, 2026.
  • UCLA trailed Duke 35-32 at halftime.

The players

Lauren Betts

A senior center for the UCLA Bruins women's basketball team, Betts is a standout player who led her team to the Final Four with a dominant performance against Duke.

UCLA Bruins

The women's basketball team from the University of California, Los Angeles, which has a storied program and is now headed to the NCAA Final Four for the first time since 2018.

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What they’re saying

“This team has worked so hard all season, and we weren't going to let this opportunity slip away. I'm so proud of how we fought back in the second half.”

— Lauren Betts, UCLA Senior Center

What’s next

The UCLA Bruins will face the winner of the other Elite Eight matchup in the NCAA Final Four, which will be played on April 4, 2026.

The takeaway

UCLA's resilient comeback victory over Duke showcases the team's veteran leadership and ability to make crucial adjustments, traits that will serve them well as they continue their quest for a national championship.