UCLA women's basketball team dominates Iowa to win Big Ten title

Bruins cruise to 51-point victory, cementing status as top NCAA tournament contender

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The UCLA women's basketball team delivered a dominant 96-45 victory over ninth-ranked Iowa to win the Big Ten tournament title on Sunday. The Bruins, who have won 25 straight games, are poised to be the No. 1 overall seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament after proving their mettle against a tough conference schedule.

Why it matters

UCLA's impressive run this season has them firmly in the national spotlight as a top contender for the women's basketball national championship. The Bruins' decisive victory over a highly ranked Iowa team underscores their status as an elite program capable of making a deep tournament run.

The details

UCLA raced out to a 17-point lead after the first quarter and never looked back, overwhelming Iowa with their depth, balanced scoring, and stifling defense. The Bruins set a Big Ten tournament record with 34 assists on 40 made baskets, showcasing their unselfish, team-first style of play. Even their best player, Lauren Betts, took just nine shots as nine different Bruins scored in the lopsided win.

  • UCLA has won 25 straight games since its lone loss to Texas in December.
  • The Bruins defeated Iowa 96-45 in the Big Ten tournament championship game on March 9, 2026.

The players

Caitlin Clark

The star player for Iowa, who has led the Hawkeyes to two national championship game appearances in the last three years.

Cori Close

The head coach of the UCLA women's basketball team, who is guiding the Bruins to their 10th NCAA tournament appearance in her 15 seasons at the helm.

Lauren Betts

The standout post player for UCLA, who is expected to be a high draft pick in the upcoming WNBA draft.

Kiki Rice

The UCLA point guard who was named the Big Ten tournament's most outstanding player after recording 8 assists and 3 steals in the championship game.

Gianna Kneepkens

The sharp-shooting guard for UCLA who made 4 three-pointers and scored a team-high 19 points in the title game.

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What they’re saying

“What they've done this year has been extremely impressive. I think you saw a lot of senior leadership on their end, a team that's been on a mission since the Final Four last year.”

— Jan Jensen, Iowa head coach (bnd.com)

“This group has the potential to do whatever it wants.”

— Kiki Rice (bnd.com)

“She's one of the most selfless people I've ever played with. She really could [not] care less about all the attention. She just wants to win.”

— Lauren Betts (bnd.com)

What’s next

The Bruins will await their seeding and matchup when the NCAA tournament bracket is revealed next weekend. A potential rematch with defending champion UConn in the national championship game appears to be on the horizon.

The takeaway

UCLA's dominant run to the Big Ten title has established them as the team to beat in the women's NCAA tournament. Their unselfish, team-first approach and deep roster of talented players make them a formidable opponent for any challenger as they seek the program's first national championship in nearly 50 years.