Betts sets UCLA record with 9 blocks in win over Baylor

NEWARK, N.J.>> Lauren Betts had 24 points, nine rebounds and a school-record nine blocks to help No. 1 UCLA beat 25th-ranked Baylor 72-57 on Monday in the inaugural Coretta Scott King Classic.

The doubleheader that also featured No. 7 Texas and eighth-ranked Maryland was created to honor King’s legacy and celebrate female empowerment in sports. It’s the first time the names of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King have been licensed for a sporting event.

UCLA (18-0) jumped all over Baylor to build an early double-digit lead. The Bears (16-4), who saw their five-game winning streak end, got within five a few times, but each time Betts and UCLA answered.

The Bruins had a 41-36 lead midway through the third quarter before scoring six straight to restore a double-digit advantage. Baylor didn’t get within single digits the rest of the way.

Yaya Felder scored 10 points to lead the Bears.

Betts broke the school record for blocks she held with Corinne Costa of seven. The Grandview High School product reached that mark in her last game against Penn State last week. Costa did it four times from 2011-14.

The Bruins remained one of two unbeaten teams in Division I women’s basketball, along with No. 5 LSU. UCLA will remain on the East Coast for the week to face Rutgers and then Maryland.

No. 7 TEXAS 89, No. 6 MARYLAND 51>> Madison Booker scored 28 points and Texas routed Maryland in the inaugural Coretta Scott King Classic.

Texas (18-2) jumped all over Maryland thanks to Booker. The preseason All-American had 13 points in the opening quarter as the Longhorns went up 28-12 after one quarter. It was 48-18 at the half.

Maryland (16-2) never threatened in the second half.

Kaylene Smikle led the Terrapins with 15 points, she was 11 of 12 from the foul line.

Maryland announced before the game that reserve guard Bri McDaniel is out for the season with a torn ACL in her right knee, suffered last week against Minnesota.