In their matchup against the top-ranked UCLA Bruins, the Indiana Hoosiers women’s basketball team fell short, losing 73-62 at home. Despite a strong start and a competitive first quarter, where Indiana trailed by just two points (18-16), the team struggled offensively in the second quarter, scoring only five points. This drought allowed UCLA to build a substantial lead by halftime (33-21), which Indiana couldn’t overcome despite outscoring the Bruins in the third quarter.
Key performances for Indiana included Yarden Garzon’s 19 points, while Chloe Moore-McNeil and Shay Ciezki added 12 and 11 points, respectively. However, the team’s shooting efficiency, particularly from beyond the arc (19%), hindered their ability to close the gap.
UCLA’s dominance was highlighted by Lauren Betts’ standout performance, scoring 25 points and securing 12 rebounds, effectively leading the Bruins to maintain their unbeaten status. The game underscored the Hoosiers’ resilience but also highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in offensive consistency and perimeter shooting.
This loss marked the end of a six-game winning streak for Indiana, dropping their overall record to 10-4 and 2-1 in the Big Ten Conference. Looking ahead, the Hoosiers will need to regroup as they continue their conference play, with upcoming games against Northwestern and Iowa.
