UCLA Bruins defeat Southern 84-46 in NCAA opener

Top-seeded UCLA began its NCAA Tournament journey with a commanding 84-46 victory over 16th-seeded Southern, highlighted by Lauren Betts' 14 points, six rebounds, and three blocked shots. The Bruins, who have spent 13 weeks atop the AP Top 25, will next face eighth-seeded Richmond, who secured their first NCAA Tournament win against Georgia Tech. UCLA's strong performance included eight players scoring at least nine points, showcasing their depth and dominance, particularly in rebounding with a 44-23 advantage. Southern, despite the loss, made history with their first NCAA Tournament victory earlier in the week and finished the season with a SWAC regular-season title. The defeat marks the end of Southern's tournament run, but fans are optimistic about the team's future following their historic achievements. UCLA aims to advance further in the tournament, seeking its first Final Four appearance.