CANCUN, Mexico (AP) – Monique Billings scored 27 points to help No. 9 UCLA beat Iowa 78-65 on Thursday night at the Cancun Challenge. Billings made nine of her 12 shots and was 9 for 9 from the free throw line for the Bruins (4-1). Jordin Canada and Kennedy Burke each added 13 points for UCLA.

UCLA led by four at halftime and Iowa (4-2) cut the margin to two early in the third quarter, but was unable to get any closer. Ally Disterhoft scored 16 points and Megan Gustafson added 15 to lead the Hawkeyes. After a back-and-forth first half, UCLA led 42-38 at the break. Trailing 35-30, the Bruins went on a 12-3 run to close the opening 20 minutes.