Lauren Betts’ clutch performance pushes No. 2 UCLA past No. 8 Michigan in nail-biter, shaking up Big Ten race standings.

You know, every now and then, a basketball game lands on the calendar that just makes you sit up and take notice — and this clash between No. 2 UCLA and No. 8 Michigan was exactly that. It wasn’t just another tick on the schedule; it was a high-stakes, heart-thudding showdown where Lauren Betts completely owned the hardwood with 16 points, 16 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks — an all-around maestro performance. The Wolverines almost staged a furious comeback, cutting an 11-point deficit down to the wire, but that last-second miss by Syla Swords left the crowd gasping. UCLA’s 69-66 triumph not only extended their impressive winning streak to 17 but also swung the Big Ten balance firmly in their favor, showing why they’re a force to be reckoned with. Trust me, this game had all the drama and intensity you’d want from elite college hoops — and then some. LEARN MORE

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Lauren Betts had 16 points, 16 rebounds, five assists and three blocks to help No. 2 UCLA hold off No. 8 Michigan for a 69-66 win on Sunday.

The Wolverines trailed by 11 points with less than two minutes left and with a chance to tie the game, Syla Swords shot an airball on a 3-pointer with 2.2 seconds left.

UCLA (23-1, 13-0 Big Ten) took a two-game lead over Michigan (20-4, 11-2) in the conference with its 17th straight victory since losing to No. 4 Texas in November.

The Bruins outscored Michigan by 14 over the second and third quarters, leading by as much as 13 points, and finished with their NCAA -high ninth win over an AP Top 25 team.

The Wolverines’ school-record, nine-game winning streak in Big Ten games was snapped by a big and experienced team that plays stifling defense and is led by a 6-foot-7 preseason All-America center that does it all.

Betts was 8 of 17 from the field, grabbed rebounds at both ends of the court, set up teammates for shots after drawing double teams and used her size to block or alter shots.

Her surrounding cast is talented, too.

UCLA’s Kiki Rice scored 20, Gabriela Jaquez had 13 and Gianna Kneepkens scored 12.

Michigan’s Olivia Olson had 20 points, Mila Holloway had 15 and Te’Yala Delfosse added 10. Swords was limited to eight points, missing 10 of 13 shots.

The highly anticipated matchup drew a season-high 6,108 crowd to Crisler Center a few hours before the Super Bowl.