SACRAMENTO – Lauren Betts could barely take a step or utter a word without someone wanting a hug or making some sort of celebratory gesture. The UCLA center had just started an on-court interview S…
could barely take a step or utter a word without someone wanting a hug or making some sort of celebratory gesture.center had just started an on-court interview Sunday afternoon when teammate Angela Dugalic poured a container of confetti over her head.
A few flecks stuck to Betts’ forehead before a teammate tenderly brushed them off.UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts celebrates after scoring against the Duke Blue Devils in an Elite Eight game in the Sacramento Regional 4 of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at the Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn ImagesFrom there it was on to reuniting with her parents in one corner of the Golden 1 Center, the trio embracing before mom Michelle Betts wiped tears from her face. And of course there was another joyous dance alongside Gabriela Jaquez and Charlisse Leger-Walker, the trio reviving their new tradition after big wins.Rick Pitino signs lucrative St. John's contract extension after March Madness run ended in Sweet 1670-58 victory over DukeLauren Betts of the UCLA Bruins makes a move on Delaney Thomas of the Duke Blue Devils during the fourth quarter in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 29, 2026 in Sacramento, California. Irritated by her team’s play in the first half in falling behind by eight points, Betts decided to do what she does best.“I think I was pretty mad,” Betts said after scoring 15 of her 23 points in the second half and finishing the game with 10 rebounds and 5 blocks. “I just didn’t like how that first half happened. And I know that I could have been a lot more aggressive. I think going into a game like this, sometimes you just take yourself out of your head and you realize, oh, this is the Elite Eight and my season is on the line. So I’ve got to wake up a little bit.”After finding Jaquez cutting toward the basket for a layup on the opening possession of the third quarter, Betts added a layup that had the large throng of UCLA fans standing and roaring. As the Bruins surged into the lead, Betts added several more layups and blocks, one of those swats leading to a Dugalic layup that put their team ahead by nine points.Lauren Betts of the UCLA Bruins celebrates after defeating the Duke Blue Devils 70-58 in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 29, 2026 in Sacramento, California. Summoning her high school coach and his assistant from the stands, Betts added to her entourage of supporters. “They’re my family so I wanted to make sure that they were on the court and got to celebrate with us,” Betts said. “They coached Michaela as well. So, I mean, it’s like the Grandview connection, and I thought it was just really special to have them with me.” Getting to revive her viral dance routine required an assist from Angela Scales, the director of UCLA’s spirit and engagement team. Scales found a way to play Tate McRae’s “Just Keep Watching” over the arena’s sound system, prompting Betts, Jaquez and Leger-Walker to do their celebratory thing. “I don’t know how she does it,” Betts said. “But apparently she did it for Big Ten . I had no clue, but she’s the one that keeps doing it. They just play it and Gabs comes running over and we — honestly, we did it in the locker room today too. I didn’t realize they were going to play it on the court in front of everybody. But it’s always fun.”UCLA forward Gabriela Jaquez, left; guard Charlisse Leger-Walker, center; and center Lauren Betts perform a dance during post game celebrations after winning the Elite Eight. As she rose from her seat behind a microphone to return to the locker room Sunday afternoon, her interview complete, Betts wore a shirt that said,Rick Pitino signs lucrative St. John's contract extension after March Madness run ended in Sweet 16The frightening moment UFC star gets knocked out — then choked out UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts celebrates after scoring against the Duke Blue Devils in an Elite Eight game in the Sacramento Regional 4 of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at the Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn ImagesLauren Betts of the UCLA Bruins makes a move on Delaney Thomas of the Duke Blue Devils during the fourth quarter in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 29, 2026 in Sacramento, California. Lauren Betts of the UCLA Bruins celebrates after defeating the Duke Blue Devils 70-58 in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 29, 2026 in Sacramento, California. UCLA forward Gabriela Jaquez, left; guard Charlisse Leger-Walker, center; and center Lauren Betts perform a dance during post game celebrations after winning the Elite Eight. Stream It Or Skip It: 'Jo Nesbø's Detective Hole' On Netflix, Where A Troubled Detective Tracks Down A Serial Killer Who Is Terrorizing Oslo
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