Bruins’ Rice ‘made us pay,’ Gophers coach says

Hot-shooting guard scores 25, Betts has double-double to lead No. 3 UCLA to win.

- By Dave CAMPBELL

GUARD Kiki Rice (1) threads past two Minnesota defenders during UCLA's win.

(MATT KROHN Associated Press)

Kiki Rice celebrated her 22nd birthday in style, as third-ranked UCLA stayed unbeaten in Big Ten play with a decisive victory at Minnesota.

The — smooth-shooting senior guard wasin the spotlight on Wednesday night, with a career high-tying 25 points, but that’s not the goal on this well-connected, fiercely determined and richly talented Bruins team.

With the Gophers and their nation-leading defense trying everything they could to limit star Lauren Betts around the basket, this was prime time for Rice to take over.

“She came here with a single focus, to help our team win at levels they'd never won before, but on top of that, what do you think WNBA teams are looking for? Winners,” UCLA coach Cori Close said. “Ones that not only know how to bring the skill development and the skills to their particular teams, but who helps make the team winners, and I don’t think that can be stated strong enough. Does someone want to pick a stat line? Or do they want to pick a winner?”