LOS ANGELES (Interstat) — UCLA dominated Maryland 97-67 in a women’s basketball game Sunday at Pauley Pavilion, extending its winning streak behind a balanced offensive attack. The Bruins seized control early, leading 47-35 at halftime before outscoring the Terrapins 26-12 in the third quarter to pull away for good before a crowd of 8,721. Charlisse Leger-Walker led UCLA with 17 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, narrowly missing a triple-double. Gabriela Jaquez added 22 points. Oluchi Okananwa scored a game-high 25 points for Maryland, which fell to 17-3. UCLA improved to 16-1. The game was part of the Big Ten schedule.

LOS ANGELES (Interstat) — The UCLA Bruins showcased their national championship pedigree with a dominant and efficient performance, overwhelming the Maryland Terrapins 97-67 in a nonconference women’s basketball game Sunday at a sold-out Pauley Pavilion. From the opening tip, the Bruins established a commanding presence, leveraging their significant size and shooting advantages to build a lead Maryland never threatened. UCLA shot a blistering 62.5% from the field and 56.5% from three-point range, while holding Maryland to 37.1% shooting. The Bruins’ offensive rating of 136.1, compared to Maryland’s 89.7, underscored the vast gulf in execution. The most important stretch of the game came early, as UCLA seized control with a 13-2 run midway through the first quarter. After Maryland’s Saylor Poffenbarger hit a pull-up jumper to tie the game at 4-4, the Bruins unleashed their offensive arsenal. Gabriela Jaquez scored on a layup, Charlisse Leger-Walker sank a three-pointer, Gianna Kneepkens added a layup, and Lauren Betts finished inside to push the lead to 13-6. The Bruins never looked back, closing the first quarter with a 25-17 advantage and extending it to 47-35 by halftime. UCLA’s depth and versatility were on full display, with six players scoring in double figures. Charlisse Leger-Walker, the team’s top star, orchestrated the offense masterfully, finishing with 17 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, narrowly missing a triple-double. Gabriela Jaquez added 22 points, while Gianna Kneepkens contributed 16 points and five assists. The interior presence was overwhelming, led by Lauren Betts’ 11 points, five rebounds and five blocks, and Angela Dugalić’s 12 points, eight rebounds and four assists. The Bruins outscored Maryland 48-24 in the paint and blocked nine shots. Maryland, which entered the game with a 17-2 record, struggled to find any consistent rhythm against UCLA’s length and defensive pressure. Oluchi Okananwa led all scorers with 25 points for the Terrapins, and Saylor Poffenbarger added 15. But Maryland managed only four assists as a team against nine turnovers, a testament to UCLA’s disruptive defense. The third quarter removed any lingering doubt, as UCLA outscored Maryland 26-12. A 9-0 run, capped by a Kneepkens three-pointer, pushed the lead to 68-47, and the Bruins cruised from there, leading by as many as 32 points in the final period. The victory improved UCLA’s record to 16-1, while Maryland fell to 17-3. The game was part of the Big Ten Conference’s scheduling alliance, drawing a crowd of 8,721. UCLA next hosts Purdue on Wednesday. Maryland returns home to face Iowa on Thursday.

Preview: Maryland at UCLA Set for Sunday Showdown LOS ANGELES (Interstat) — A marquee nonconference clash between two of the nation’s top teams will highlight the women’s college basketball slate Sunday when Maryland visits UCLA. The Terrapins (17-2) and Bruins (15-1) will meet at Pauley Pavilion in a rare late-season intersectional matchup featuring powerhouse programs from the Big Ten and the soon-to-be-absorbed Big 12, respectively. Both teams enter with legitimate national championship aspirations. Maryland, whose only losses are to Ohio State and Illinois, is coming off a gritty 62-55 road win at Southern California on Thursday. The Terrapins have relied on a balanced attack, but guard Yarden Garzon has been a consistent catalyst. Over her last seven games, Garzon is averaging 15.3 points and 4.7 assists, including a 19-point, 8-rebound, 5-assist effort in the loss to Ohio State. UCLA, whose sole defeat came against Texas in November, has been dominant, winning its last 10 games by an average of 30.2 points. The Bruins are fresh off a 76-58 victory at Minnesota on Wednesday, led by a career-high 25 points from star guard Kiki Rice. Rice has been exceptional, averaging 17.8 points and 5.4 assists over her last five contests. The game features a compelling backcourt duel between Garzon and Rice, both of whom control their team’s tempo and offensive flow. Maryland’s depth will be tested against a UCLA defense that has held 10 opponents under 50 points this season. This matchup serves as a critical resume builder for both sides ahead of postseason play. Following this game, Maryland returns to Big Ten play against Iowa, while UCLA opens its conference schedule against Purdue. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. EST on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026.