After being out for two games earlier this month, UCLA’s junior center Lauren Betts returned to the lineup on Sunday in the Bruins 91-54 win over Nebraska at home to resume Big Ten play.
The second year Bruin scored 21 points with eight rebounds while going 8-15 from the field. It was Betts’ first game this season where she didn’t record a block, dropping her average to 2.0 per game.
“It felt really good,” Betts said of her return postgame. “Obviously coming in, I was a little bit nervous with my knee but I think my teammates and my coaches really built me up going into it today and it helped relieve some of those nerves.”
Betts is currently tied for 7th best odds to win this year’s John Wooden Award at +5000, tied with USC’s Kiki Iriafen according to Bet365’s odds from earlier this month. Betts has averaged 19.9 points per game with 9.8 rebounds for the #1 team in the country.
“It’s nice to be back,” Betts said with a smile. “I’m just really glad to be back on the court with my teammates.”
UCLA will continue Big Ten play on Wednesday at home against #24 Michigan, where the Bruins will look to move to 14-0.