Sat Jan 25 04:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Top-Ranked UCLA Bruins Conclude Historic East Coast Trip with Wins and New York Adventures

PISCATAWAY, NJ – The number one ranked UCLA Bruins women’s basketball team concluded an unprecedented eight-day East Coast road trip, a journey Coach Cori Close described as the longest she’s overseen during her tenure at UCLA. The trip, which included three games, began with a victory over No. 25 Baylor in the inaugural Coretta Scott King Classic and followed with a win against Rutgers. It will conclude with a game against the eighth-ranked Maryland Terrapins.

Sandwiched between games, the team experienced the sights of New York City, including a ferry to the Statue of Liberty, a visit to the Empire State Building and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, and a Broadway show. Center Lauren Betts, who averaged 24.5 points, 11 rebounds, and seven blocks in the New Jersey games, highlighted the Broadway experience as a particular highlight for the team, many of whom had never attended a Broadway show before. The team also encountered a winter storm, a first-time snow experience for several players.

Balancing academics with their demanding travel schedule proved challenging. The wildfires in Los Angeles forced many classes online, adding complexity to the already demanding academic requirements for the student-athletes. Associate Director of Student Athlete Success, Andrew Garcia, emphasized the efforts to maintain a sense of normalcy and academic consistency for the team, working closely with professors to manage deadlines across time zones. Junior guard Kiki Rice noted the team’s proactive communication with professors to ensure academic success despite their travel commitments.

Coach Close views the trip, along with an earlier trip to Paris, as invaluable educational experiences, supplementing classroom learning with real-world exploration. She highlighted the impact of experiencing iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Empire State Building firsthand. This cross-country experience is part of UCLA’s participation in the Big Ten Conference, and Close noted the team is already using feedback from this trip to refine future travel itineraries. Despite the challenges, Close emphasized the team’s commitment to competing in the top conference and adapting to the demands of this unique schedule.

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