"She commands so much attention" - Dawn Staley on the challenge of stopping UCLA Bruins star Lauren Betts

Image credits: IMAGN, @uclawbb/Instagram

Lauren Betts led the UCLA Bruins to end Dawn Staley and the South Carolina Gamecocks’ 43-game win streak on Sunday. The star center notched a double-double, scoring 11 points and garnering 14 rebounds (six offensive) in 37 minutes. She also dished four dimes and swatted four shots, leading the Bruins to a 77-62 win.

So, when Dawn Staley was asked about Lauren Betts’ presence and impact on the floor, the championship coach highlighted the junior’s ability to demand attention on both ends of the floor and stay efficient.

“I mean she commands so much attention,” Staley said in the post-game conference. “Not just the player that’s guarding her, everybody else has to sink in on her ability to just be super-efficient. Let me see how efficient was she – five for eight – what’s that? what percentage? 62 is not 79. We wanted it under 50.” (4:50).

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It is the first loss for the 2024 NCAA champions after falling to Caitlin Clark-led Iowa Hawkeyes in the 2023 NCAA Final Four.

The program was the polar opposite of the dominating unit they had been for more than a year, trailing by 23 points at a point in the game. The Gamecocks struggled to find the net for the first six minutes and never gained a single-point lead in the contest.

Dawn Staley impressed with Elina Aarnisalo’s performance

Lauren Betts entered Sunday’s contest averaging 21.5 points and 11.5 rebounds while making 72.5% of her shots. While Dawn Staley believed that her roster did a good job of containing the star center, she believes that the outing from freshman guard Elina Aarnisalo changed the outcome of the game.

“I thought Elina did a really great job, really great job. I mean it was fun watching her on film. I was hoping that she could come off the bench and not get as many minutes but she’s the one that was really really impressive.” (5:18)

Elina Aarnisalo stole the show with her early production. Like the Gamecocks, UCLA also struggled to find early baskets. Aarnisalo got the scoreboard running and dished three dimes in the first quarter. She posted 13 points, four assists and three rebounds on 60.0% shooting.