No. 2 UCLA women win second straight Big Ten title

Bruins roll past No. 9 Iowa 96-45 in lopsided championship game

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Gianna Kneepkens scored 19 points and Kiki Rice added 15 points and eight assists as No. 2 UCLA rolled past No. 9 Iowa 96-45 to win its second straight Big Ten Tournament crown. Rice was named the tourney's Most Outstanding Player. It's the first time the Bruins have captured back-to-back postseason conference titles, and the first time they have won regular-season and league tournament titles in the same season.

Why it matters

The lopsided victory extends UCLA's school-record win streak to 25 games and their Big Ten win streak to 24, dating to last season's tourney run. It also marks the largest margin of victory in a Big Ten Tournament championship game, surpassing Iowa's 33-point win over Ohio State in 2023.

The details

Five UCLA players scored in double figures, including Sienna Betts — the younger sister of star center Lauren Betts — who matched a season high with 14 points. Lauren Betts had 10 points in 24 minutes. Ava Heiden scored 15 points for the Hawkeyes, while all-conference forward Hannah Stuelke struggled with a right elbow injury and an illness, finishing scoreless on 0-for-4 shooting with only three rebounds.

  • UCLA won its second straight Big Ten Tournament title on Sunday, March 8, 2026.

The players

Gianna Kneepkens

A UCLA player who scored 19 points in the championship game.

Kiki Rice

A UCLA player who scored 15 points and had 8 assists, and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.

Sienna Betts

The younger sister of UCLA star center Lauren Betts, who matched a season high with 14 points in the championship game.

Lauren Betts

The star UCLA center who had 10 points in 24 minutes of play.

Ava Heiden

An Iowa player who scored 15 points in the championship game.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.