The Iowa Hawkeyes’ trip to Pauley Pavilion to take on the UCLA Bruins did not quite go as well as they would have hoped or liked. The Hawkeyes fell to UCLA by a final score of 88-65 and, unfortunately, struggled to be competitive for much of the game.
It wasn’t Iowa’s best showing, and that happening against a national title contender only exacerbated things. The Bruins’ loaded roster is littered with offensive firepower, and they tested Iowa. Lauren Betts, the Bruins’ star post player, had her way through most of the game and was able to score as well as dish out for threes.
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Her scoring and passing success from the paint raised some concerns about the Iowa Hawkeyes’ interior presence from CBS Sports.
The No. 8 Hawkeyes are not usually a bad team near the rim. In fact, they dominated Ohio State in this area 42-14 in their most recent win. However, the tables turned in their 88-65 loss to No. 2 UCLA. Iowa just didn’t have an answer in this area and the Bruins certainly took advantage of it. By the end of the third quarter, UCLA had scored more points in the paint than Iowa had scored overall. After 40 minutes, the Bruins had crushed the battle in the paint 56-26.
When asked about what made it so difficult for Iowa, Hannah Stuelke highlighted UCLA center Lauren Betts’ size and defense.”I think they are really good on the inside,” she said. “Obviously, Lauren Betts is 6-foot-7 and it’s hard to score on 6-foot-7.”
As for Iowa coach Jan Jensen, she said Betts, who scored 16 points, knows how to make good decisions on offense.
“A double team can’t really, I don’t think, slow down Betts as much. Because I don’t think she forces anything ill-advised against the double. She kind of squares ups and then she rockets it to (Gianna Kneepkens). So do you want to give up two or do you want her throw it out for three?” — Isabel Gonzalez
Betts poured in 16 points on an 8-11 shooting performance for UCLA, while the Bruins also out-rebounded Iowa 32 to 24. With this blueprint being put out against Iowa as Big Ten play continues on, the Hawkeyes must find answers to slowing down teams in the paint and have this game be a one-time thing, versus a trend.
The Hawkeyes get a chance to get right when they return home to Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Thursday, February 5 for a Big Ten matchup with the Minnesota Golden Gophers that is set to tip off at 6 p.m. CT and air on the Big Ten Network.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: CBS Sports draws concerns from Iowa women’s basketball falling to UCLA
