UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts (right) battles in the paint with Duke Blue Devils center Adrianna Robertson (20) at the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Arena Sacarmento on Sun Mar 29, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Michael Roberson

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —  The #1 ranked UCLA Bruins (25-1) are headed to their second consecutive Final Four, after a 70-58 comeback victory over the #4 Duke Blue Devils (27-9) inside the Golden 1 Center.

The Bruins opened the game with a basket to take their only lead of the first half.  The Blue Devils responded with a push of their own and had a lead as high as eight, the first 10 minutes of the game.  They managed to end the quarter, 21-17.

Duke continued to control the flow and tempo during the second stanza of the contest.  An upset was on the horizon; however, there was a whole other half of play to come.  Both teams shot over 50% from the field in the first two quarters, but not so well from beyond the arc.

After 20 minutes of Elite 8 action, Duke held an eight-point lead, 39-31.  This was despite both teams shooting a horrible 0% from 3-point territory.  That would be a factor in the second half of the tournament clash.

At recess, only Duke presented players with double-digit scoring.  Senior guard Taina Mair scored 12 points, while redshirt-sophomore Riley Nelson chipped in 11 points.  Loren Betts was close, for the Bruins, with her points after 20 minutes.

In the second half, the Bruins overcame the eight points deific at the 2:40 mark of the third quarter.  Senior guard Gianna Kneepkens launched a three-pointer that put the Bruins in front (47-45) for the first time since they led 2-0 to start the game.  That was a huge momentum shift that Duke would have a hard time recovering from.

As the third quarter ended, UCLA had made a 12-point turnaround in the 10 minutes of the block..  After three, the Bruins were up four, 51-47.  The Blue Devils were discombobulated at that point in time, and so were their faithful fans.  It would only get worse in the final stanza.

In the fourth quarter, UCLA led by as much as 12 points, and was in total control of the game..  With that largest margin score, they completed a 20-point turnaround after returning from the locker room.  The 12-point advantage would be the same at the final horn,  UCLA was the winner 70-58 for the #2 Sacramento Regional.

Loren Betts led all players with 23 points and 10 rebounds.  Her teammate Angela Dugalic tallied 15 points and 6 rebounds.  Duke put forward four players with 10+ points scored.  Taina Mair led with 21 points and 7 rebounds, while Riley Nelson (13), Delaney Thomas (12), and Toby Fournier (10) all added their share for the Blue Devils.

The Bruins are heading to Phoenix, and and will face the winner of the #3 Fort Worth Region (Michigan/Texas). Friday, April 3 at TBD.

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.