Lauren Betts clinches MVP after No. 1 UCLA dominates in Hawaii

In the final game of the Rainbow Wahine Showdown on Sunday, the No. 1 UCLA Bruins showed why they're the team to beat this season. They outpaced the Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine, 70-49, to chalk up their eighth win of the year and to stay undefeated.

Third-year sensation Lauren Betts put up 18 points, three rebounds, an assist and a steal in 21 minutes.

Betts was named MVP of the weekend holiday tournament, joined by guards Kiki Rice and Gabriela Jaquez on the Bruins' American Savings Bank Rainbow Wahine Showdown All-Tournament Team.

UCLA controlled the game right from the get-go. They had an 11-3 lead primarily due to Betts' inside play within the first four minutes. They eventually extended their lead to double digits, 18-7, at the end of the period.

In the second quarter, the Rainbow Wahine cut the deficit to five, 22-17, with 5:06 left, and UCLA was forced to a timeout. Betts, Rice and Jaquez kept UCLA ahead, holding a narrow 32-29 lead at halftime.

The Bruins found their rhythm in the third quarter, scoring three consecutive baskets, starting with a Betts layup. This momentum shift restored their double-digit lead, 56-39, by the end of the third.

In the layover period, the California-based team padded on its advantage as Betts was no match for Hawai'i in the paint.

On Sunday, the Bruins will face the Washington Huskies at Alaska Airlines Arena with hopes of a ninth consecutive triumph.

Lauren Betts is amongst the best stalwarts of the season

Lauren Betts continues her unstoppable 2024-25 campaign, scoring in double digits for the eighth straight game. The 6-foot-5 star is averaging 19.3 points, 12.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.1 blocks while shooting an impressive 64.5%.

The junior center was named the Pacific Big Ten Player of the Week on Nov. 18 and can continue to rack in more accolades with her consistent play as of late.