The UCLA Bruins delivered a statement performance on Sunday, overwhelming the South Carolina Gamecocks 79–51 to capture the program’s first NCAA women’s basketball championship. Built on relentless defense and unselfish offense, the victory capped a remarkable 31-game winning streak and marked one of the most lopsided title games in tournament history. The championship also marks UCLA’s first national crown in the NCAA era, adding to its 1978 AIAW title.
From the opening tip, UCLA controlled every aspect of the game. The Bruins never trailed, quickly building a double-digit lead and steadily pulling away behind efficient shooting and suffocating defense. They shot 43% from the field compared to South Carolina’s 29% and dominated from beyond the arc, hitting 42% of their threes while holding the Gamecocks to just 13%.
Senior guard Gabriela Jaquez led the charge with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in a standout all-around effort. Inside, Lauren Betts anchored the Bruins with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and multiple defensive stops, earning Most Outstanding Player honors for the Final Four. Her presence in the paint created scoring opportunities across the floor and proved too much for South Carolina to handle.
Defensively, the Bruins also set the tone early. South Carolina struggled from the outset, missing eight of its first nine shots and never finding rhythm. By halftime, UCLA led 36–23, and a decisive third quarter—sparked by a 12–1 run—blew the game wide open. The Bruins outscored the Gamecocks 25–9 in that period, stretching the lead to nearly 30 points and effectively sealing the outcome. South Carolina, led by head coach Dawn Staley, had no answer for UCLA’s intensity. The Gamecocks finished with just nine assists and 14 turnovers, while only one starter reached double figures in scoring.
For UCLA head coach Cori Close, the title represents the culmination of a long journey in her 15th season. “It’s immeasurably more than I could ask for or imagine,” Close said. “It’s beyond my wildest dreams. It’s meaningful because of the people I’ve gotten to share it with.”
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