UCLA rallies past Duke to reach Final Four

Bruins overcome rare halftime deficit to advance to national semifinals

Mar. 30, 2026 at 4:04am

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UCLA center Lauren Betts had 23 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks to lead the Bruins to a 70-58 comeback win over Duke in the Elite Eight of the NCAA women's basketball tournament. UCLA trailed by 8 at halftime but rallied in the second half, using a 10-2 run to take the lead and then pulling away down the stretch.

Why it matters

The win sends UCLA to the Final Four for the second straight season, as the Bruins look to capture their first-ever NCAA championship. Duke's run to the Elite Eight shows the program's continued growth, but they were unable to get past the experienced and talented Bruins.

The details

After trailing 39-31 at halftime, UCLA cranked up the defensive intensity in the second half, holding Duke without a field goal for the final 6:12 of the third quarter. Betts, Angela Dugalic and Gianna Kneepkens led the Bruins' charge, with Kneepkens hitting a 3-pointer to give UCLA the lead. The Bruins then pulled away in the fourth quarter, as Betts scored 15 of her 23 points in the second half.

  • UCLA trailed 39-31 at halftime.
  • Midway through the third quarter, UCLA used a 10-2 run to take a 47-45 lead.
  • Duke went without a field goal for the final 6:12 of the third quarter.

The players

Lauren Betts

A 6-foot-7 senior center for UCLA who had 23 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks in the win.

Taina Mair

A junior guard who led Duke with 21 points in the loss.

Angela Dugalic

A senior forward for UCLA who helped spark the Bruins' second-half comeback.

Gianna Kneepkens

A junior guard for UCLA who hit a key 3-pointer to give the Bruins the lead in the third quarter.

Ashlon Jackson

A Duke player who hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to help the Blue Devils reach the Elite Eight.

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What they’re saying

“I was pretty mad, didn't like how that first half happened. I could have been a lot more effective. A game like this you got to take yourself out of your head. This is the Elite Eight and my senior season is on the line, so got to wake up a little bit.”

— Lauren Betts, UCLA center

“They're a really good team. They're super experienced. When they came out, we just didn't have a response to it. So credit to them for going into the locker room and making the correct changes to be able to win the game. But they played a great second half.”

— Taina Mair, Duke guard

“We just have the mentality of this being a business trip. I can't emphasize that enough.”

— Angela Dugalic, UCLA forward

What’s next

UCLA will play either Texas or Michigan in the Final Four in Phoenix on Friday, March 28, 2026.

The takeaway

This comeback win showcases UCLA's experience, depth and resilience as they continue their quest for the program's first NCAA championship. Despite Duke's strong first-half performance, the Bruins' defensive adjustments and Betts' dominance in the paint proved too much for the Blue Devils to overcome.