Lauren Betts injury update: UCLA star returns to NCAA championship after throat issue
· Yahoo Sports
PHOENIX ― UCLA star Lauren Betts appeared to be having a tough time against the South Carolina Gamecocks in Sunday's title matchup at Mortgage Matchup Center.
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Betts scored four points and grabbed three rebounds early, but was fairly quiet after that. Eventually, the UCLA center motioned to the bench and checked out of the game with 2:14 remaining in the first quarter.
Betts immediately went to the bench and began talking with a trainer as she coughed into a towel and motioned toward her throat. The center remained on the bench for the remainder of the first quarter.
Here's what to know of UCLA's star center:
Lauren Betts injury update
Betts was not on the floor to open the second quarter and was seen motioning to her throat, coughing, on the Bruins bench. She was also taking deep breaths and breathing into an inhaler.
UCLA star Lauren Betts was taken out in the 1st quarter of the National Championship after telling the bench that she had something stuck in her throat.
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 5, 2026
UCLA staff gave her an inhaler and examined Betts until she returned to the game in the 2nd quarter 🙌 pic.twitter.com/DARePwbygf
Betts returned to play at the 8:41 mark of the second quarter, finishing the half with six points on 3-of-6 shooting and seven rebounds.
Speaking to ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe at halftime, Betts said she felt like she had something stuck in her throat, suggesting it may have been the dry Phoenix air.
"I think it's really dry out in here Phoenix, it felt like I had something stuck in there," Betts told Rowe. "But it's good. I'm all good."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lauren Betts injury update: UCLA C returns after throat issue vs South Carolina