The UCLA women’s basketball team is surrounded by success – from its No. 1 ranking and unbeaten record to players setting single-game records and personal bests. But the results of previous seasons still carry weight for some. “Losing back to back in the Sweet 16 is sickening to me,” junior Gabriela Jaquez said. “To think about it, it really gets me mad and angry.” The Bruins are in the midst of their longest road stretch of the season and have 11 games left on the regular-season schedule. It’s a challenge that the team welcomes as they continue to push to improve in any area possible ahead of the postseason. “We understand what that felt like and we know what our team is capable of,” Jaquez said. “We came into this season knowing that we have a great team with great players that it takes more than just being talented.” @haleymsawyer UCLA women’s basketball player Gabriela Jaquez says the team is staying grounded and focused now that women can earn revenue in the NCAA tournament. #womensbasketball #reporter #journalism #sportsreporter #sports #basketball #bigten #ucla #ncaabasketball #collegebasketball #ncaatournament ♬ original sound – Haley Sawyer UCLA (18-0 overall, 6-0 Big Ten) has set a Big Ten Conference women’s basketball record by remaining at the top of the AP Top 25 poll for nine straight weeks. The Bruins can keep that ranking going if they win at Rutgers (8-11, 0-8) on Thursday at 4 p.m. PT and at No. 8 Maryland (16-2, 6-1) on Sunday at 11 a.m. PT. The Bruins began their East Coast road trip with a 72-57 win over Baylor in the Coretta Scott King Classic on Monday, holding the Bears to a season-low in scoring to preserve the program-best 18-0 start. Six-foot-7 center Lauren Betts swatted nine shots to set a UCLA single-game blocks record and Gabriela Jaquez pulled down a season-high 13 rebounds to go with 11 points. Betts continues to pace the team in scoring with 20 points per game. “I hear so many people talking about travel in the Big Ten,” head coach Cori Close said. “We’re thrilled. We want to play in the best conferences in the country. We want the best competition that we can possibly have. And getting the chance to play in the Coretta Scott King Classic as well as two quality road teams in Rutgers and Maryland on this trip, we’re so thrilled.” The Scarlet Knights are on a seven-game losing streak that dates to a Dec. 29 loss to No. 10 Ohio State. Four out of the seven losses have been to ranked teams. Freshman Kiyomi McMiller is leading Rutgers in scoring with 19.1 points per game and is pulling down 4.8 rebounds. “She is so explosive and she’s so fun with the ball and she just does some really creative things,” Close said. “I love players that play the game like an art project, not as scientific formula. And she’s definitely one of those.” Maryland’s 6-2 guard Shyanne Sellers is coming off a season-high, 27-point game against No. 24 Minnesota and earned Big Ten Player of the Week recognition. The Terrapins are in a challenging stretch of games themselves and will see six ranked teams in a matter of seven games. “Big-time game experience,” head coach Brenda Frese said of Sellers. “She’s playing with so much poise. She has a heart of gold, wants to will the team. Offensively she goes out and draws 11 fouls and we get the other team in foul trouble. Just understanding how to play.” Related Articles College Sports | Betts blocks school-record 9 shots as No. 1 UCLA women rout Baylor College Sports | UCLA women’s basketball staying grounded amid new developments in the sport College Sports | UCLA women beat Penn State in relocated game to extend program-best start College Sports | No. 1 UCLA women’s basketball moves home game to Long Beach State College Sports | Alexander: No. 1 UCLA women find the gym as a refuge The Terps rank fourth nationally in rebounding margin – UCLA is No. 1 in that category – and average 82.2 points. They will, however, be without 5-10 guard Bri McDaniel, who will miss the rest of the season due to a torn ACL. While Jaquez is using motivation from last season to work towards success in the postseason, Close is preferring to keep the overall team’s mindset more present-focused in these next few games. “Fear or doubt or anxiousness lies in regret from the past or fear of the future,” Close said. “If you are solidly in the present focusing on getting better that day and giving to your team, that’s where the good stuff really happens.” No. 1 UCLA (18-0, 6-0) at Rutgers (8-11, 0-8) When: Thursday, 4 p.m. PT Where: Jersey Mike’s Arena, Piscataway, New Jersey TV/Radio: FS1/UCLA Digital Radio No. 1 UCLA (18-0, 6-0) at No. 8 Maryland (16-2, 6-1) When: Sunday, 11 a.m. PT Where: XFINITY Center, College Park, Maryland TV/Radio: NBC (Ch. 4)/UCLA Digital Radio