Defending national champion UCLA opens season with 73-53 win over Lehigh
The Sporting Tribune
Host · Writer
LOS ANGELES — The defending national champion UCLA women's basketball team began its title defense Monday night with a 73-53 victory over Lehigh at Pauley Pavilion, using a dominant second half and contributions from several newcomers to open the 2026-27 season on a winning note.
The No. 11 Bruins, beginning a new chapter after winning the program's first NCAA championship last season, overcame a sluggish first half before taking control with a 23-9 third quarter in front of 4,697 fans.
Sienna Betts led UCLA with 15 points and seven rebounds, while Oregon State transfer Donovyn Hunter added 15 points and KK Bransford scored 14 in her Bruins debut. The two newcomers combined for 29 points as UCLA showcased its retooled roster.
Leia Edwards led Lehigh with 14 points and eight rebounds, but the Mountain Hawks struggled to keep pace with UCLA's size, athleticism and defensive pressure after halftime.
The Bruins dominated inside, outscoring Lehigh 40-18 in the paint and holding a 41-25 rebounding advantage. UCLA also collected 11 steals, blocked several shots and outscored the Mountain Hawks 15-0 in fastbreak points.
Hunter made an immediate impression, scoring UCLA's first five points before Betts established herself in the paint. Betts scored seven of the Bruins' first 12 points inside, helping UCLA build a 17-10 advantage late in the opening quarter.
Lehigh refused to go away, however. Ryann Jennings and Olivia Fleming connected on consecutive 3-pointers during a 7-0 run that tied the game at 17 after the first quarter.
Jennings opened the second quarter with another 3-pointer, giving the Mountain Hawks their only lead of the game at 20-17.
UCLA responded with 11 consecutive points, highlighted by 3-pointers from Hunter, Addy Brown and Timea Gardiner. Bransford also provided a spark off the bench, scoring her first points as a Bruin and converting a steal into a basket as UCLA took a 32-27 lead into halftime.
The Bruins finally broke the game open in the third quarter.
Bransford and Hunter turned consecutive steals into baskets, igniting a 12-0 UCLA run that transformed a competitive game into a comfortable advantage. Elina Aarnisalo scored seven points during the surge, while Hunter added six in the quarter.
Hunter capped the decisive period with a layup following a steal by Bonnie Deas, extending UCLA's lead to 55-36 entering the fourth quarter.
Lehigh scored the first five points of the final period, but UCLA answered with a 10-2 run to push its advantage to a game-high 24 points at 67-43 with 4:05 remaining.
The Bruins' defensive effort was particularly encouraging for a team integrating new players into a championship program. Somto Okafor led UCLA with three steals, while Bransford, Hunter and Deas recorded two apiece. Hunter and Gardiner also blocked two shots each.
The victory provided an encouraging start for a UCLA team facing the challenge of following up a national championship while developing chemistry with a different roster. The Bruins demonstrated their depth, particularly in the second half, when their defensive intensity created easy scoring opportunities.
UCLA will return to Pauley Pavilion on Thursday to face UC Irvine at 1 p.m. The game will be streamed on B1G+.
