UCLA’s women’s basketball program is set to make its return to Uncasville, Connecticut, this November as part of the 2026 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase, a venue that has become a seasonal waypoint for the Bruins' exhibition schedule.
The Bruins will meet St. John’s University in a first‑round clash at the Mohegan Sun arena on Tuesday, November 24, a matchup that adds another chapter to a rivalry that has seen UCLA dominate the Red Storm on three previous occasions.
A historic rivalry resurfaces
Coach Cori Close, now in her 15th year at the helm, has cultivated a culture of resilience and execution that has translated into a perfect 3‑0 record against St. John’s, a streak that began with a 73‑65 victory on November 28, 2021 at the Gulf Coast Showcase in Fort Myers, Florida.
Just a year earlier, the Bruins had showcased their depth in Uncasville, defeating No. 20 Florida State 95‑78 in the Invesco QQQ Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase, a game highlighted by sophomore forward Lauren Betts’s 22‑point, 18‑rebound double‑double.
Emerging star power
Betts’s performance not only reinforced the team’s momentum but also signaled the emergence of a new star who could shape the Bruins’ fortunes in the coming season, adding a dynamic layer to UCLA’s already potent frontcourt.
As the Bruins prepare to step onto the court, the game promises to blend tradition with fresh talent, offering fans a compelling glimpse of what lies ahead for UCLA’s national‑ranked squad and reinforcing the program’s reputation as a perennial contender on the showcase circuit.