Kneepkens scores 20 points as No. 3 UCLA beats sixth-ranked Oklahoma 73-59

Gianna Kneepkens scored 20 points, and No. 3 UCLA utilized a large 3rd 4th to propulsion distant from sixth-ranked Oklahoma for a 73-59 triumph successful an aboriginal matchup of powerfulness programs

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Gianna Kneepkens scored 20 points and No. 3 UCLA utilized a large 3rd 4th to propulsion distant from sixth-ranked Oklahoma for a 73-59 triumph Monday night.

Bruins prima Lauren Betts had 9 points connected 4-for-11 shooting, 10 rebounds and 4 blocked shots portion committing 7 of her team's 16 turnovers. The Bruins (3-0) dominated connected the boards, 59-43 successful a crippled played astatine Golden1 Center, location of the NBA's Sacramento Kings.

Oklahoma got a scare with 9:16 remaining erstwhile elder halfway and starring scorer Raegan Beers went down awkwardly warring for a rebound with Betts and grabbed astatine her close knee. She returned soon thereafter and coiled up with 7 points and 14 rebounds.

Zya Vann had 13 points and six rebounds for Oklahoma (1-1) portion Payton Verhulst finished with 16. She knocked down a lone 3-pointer to extremity the 3rd 4th and propulsion her squad wrong 59-48 going into the fourth.

Angela Dugalic came disconnected the seat to lend 16 points and 15 rebounds for UCLA, which changeable conscionable 8 for 22 from heavy but created opportunities with hustle and effort plays specified arsenic crashing the violative glass.

These teams faced disconnected successful the 2nd circular of the 2023 NCAA Tournament with UCLA winning 82-73 to scope the Sweet 16. The Bruins person present won the past 3 meetings.

Oklahoma had a week betwixt its 84-67 season-opening triumph against Belmont connected Nov. 3, marking the longest interruption betwixt the archetypal and 2nd games to commencement a afloat play — excluding the COVID-19 twelvemonth — since 2002-03.

Oklahoma hasn't beaten a top-five nonconference hostile since topping No. 3 Duke successful the 2001 nationalist semifinal.

UCLA faces North Carolina successful the WBCA Challenge astatine Las Vegas connected Thursday, portion the Sooners instrumentality location to Norman to big Kansas City connected Wednesday past North Alabama connected Friday successful what volition beryllium a four-game, six-day stretch.

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