Texas Tops UCLA 76-65 in Players Era Championship Clash

In a decisive matchup at the Players Era Championship, the No. 4 Texas Longhorns triumphed over the No. 3 UCLA Bruins with a score of 76-65. The game took place at the Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on March 15, 2024. Texas relied heavily on the standout performance of Rori Harmon, who scored 26 points and played a crucial role in maintaining the Longhorns’ lead throughout the game.

Texas surged ahead to build a commanding 23-point lead late in the third quarter. Although UCLA mounted a spirited comeback, narrowing the gap to just four points following a 24-7 run fueled by Kiki Rice, the Bruins ultimately fell short. Three consecutive possessions without scoring—a missed three-pointer and two turnovers—allowed Texas to regain control and secure their place in the championship game.

The defeat marked a challenging day for UCLA, who had never committed more than 15 turnovers in a game this season but surrendered the ball 20 times against Texas. Gianna Kneepkens and Rice each contributed 17 points for the Bruins, while Charlisse Leger-Walker added 13 points on a solid 50% shooting percentage.

Conversely, the Longhorns showcased a balanced offensive attack. Madison Booker finished with 16 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Jordan Lee chipped in with 13 points, while Justice Carlton contributed 10 points. Texas demonstrated their defensive prowess early, forcing UCLA into seven turnovers in the first quarter, converting those mistakes into six points.

The Longhorns maintained momentum into the second quarter, outscoring UCLA by another ten points and heading into halftime with a 45-25 lead. During this period, Texas shot an impressive 51.4%, while UCLA struggled with a 44.4% shooting percentage.

UCLA faced an additional setback when center Lauren Betts left the game early in the third quarter due to an apparent upper-body injury. The 6-foot-7 senior, who was an AP preseason All-American selection, collided with Booker and appeared to be in considerable pain. After receiving medical attention, Betts returned to the court but finished the game with only eight points on 4-of-8 shooting, well below her season average of 15.2 points.

Looking ahead, Texas (6-0) will face the winner of the South Carolina versus Duke matchup in the championship game, while UCLA (6-1) will compete against the losing team for third place. The outcome of this game will be pivotal for both teams as they continue their pursuit of excellence in the tournament.