SPOKANE, Wash. — The fourth time was the charm for UCLA, at least when it comes to the Sweet 16 hurdle that has tripped up the Bruins in its last three journeys to this point in the postseason. But with a 76-62 win over Ole Miss on Friday, the Bruins advanced to the Elite Eight.
It’s the program’s third overall Elite Eight appearance and first since 2018.
Like the Bruins’ second-round opponent in Richmond, Ole Miss hung around through the first half, but UCLA’s depth and talent ultimately wore down the Rebels in the third quarter, where UCLA outscored Ole Miss 25-15. While Ole Miss was able to hang with the Bruins on the glass overall, the defensive-minded Rebels didn’t have a solution for Lauren Betts, who shot 94 percent from the floor, or for the overall offensive flow of the Bruins, who finished with a 60 percent field goal percentage.
Turn around bucket 😮💨 @laurenbetts12 #MarchMadness x 🎥 ESPN / @UCLAWBB pic.twitter.com/b4Slh9019Z
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) March 29, 2025
With the most talented roster UCLA has ever had, the program’s first Final Four is just 40 minutes away. But before they can get there, the Bruins have one more hurdle to clear. UCLA will meet No. 3 seed LSU in the Elite Eight, a rematch from the 2024 Sweet 16 in…
