UCLA Dominates Iowa to Win Second Consecutive Big Ten Championship

The Bruins extend their winning streak to 25 games, the longest in program history.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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The UCLA women's basketball team dominated Iowa 96-45 on Sunday to win their second consecutive Big Ten Championship at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. The 31-1 Bruins extended their winning streak to 25 games, the longest in program history, as they went 18-0 in Big Ten play this season.

Why it matters

UCLA's dominant performance highlights their continued excellence as one of the top women's college basketball programs in the country. Their ability to win back-to-back Big Ten titles and extend their winning streak to a program-best 25 games demonstrates their sustained success at the highest level of the sport.

The details

The Bruins spread the ball around effectively, with each of the starters scoring in double figures and the team finishing with 34 assists. They also shot the ball well from three-point range, going 13-26. On the defensive end, UCLA held Iowa to just 5 points in the first quarter and finished the game with 15 steals and 5 blocks. UCLA's 6'7" center and back-to-back Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Lauren Betts, limited Iowa's Ava Heiden, a first-team All-Big Ten selection, to 15 points and 4 rebounds.

  • The game was played on Sunday, March 8, 2026 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The players

UCLA Bruins

The UCLA women's basketball team, one of the top programs in the country, won their second consecutive Big Ten Championship.

Gianna Kneepkens

A Utah transfer guard who led UCLA in scoring with 16 points in the championship game.

Lauren Betts

UCLA's 6'7" center and back-to-back Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, who limited Iowa's Ava Heiden to 15 points and 4 rebounds.

Ava Heiden

Iowa's first-team All-Big Ten selection who struggled against UCLA's defense, scoring most of her 15 points after the game was out of reach.

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The takeaway

UCLA's dominant performance in winning their second consecutive Big Ten Championship underscores their status as one of the elite women's college basketball programs in the country. Their ability to extend their winning streak to a program-best 25 games and overwhelm opponents with their balanced scoring and stifling defense demonstrates their continued excellence at the highest level of the sport.