On April 5, 2026, the UCLA Bruins women’s basketball finished off a dominant season with a 79–51 win over the South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball in the NCAA championship game in Phoenix. The Bruins, a No. 1 seed, controlled the game from start to finish and secured the first NCAA title in program history.
UCLA came into the matchup with a 36–1 record and played with confidence early. The team built a lead in the first quarter and never gave it up. By halftime, the Bruins were ahead 36–23 after holding South Carolina to a low shooting percentage and limiting their chances on offense.
Gabriela Jaquez led UCLA with 21 points, putting together one of her strongest performances of the season. She shot efficiently and stayed active throughout the game. The Bruins also relied on balanced scoring, with five players reaching double digits. Gianna Kneepkens contributed 15 points, including multiple three-pointers. Lauren Betts added 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, giving UCLA a strong presence inside. Charlisse Leger-Walker and Kiki Rice each finished with 10 points.
The turning point came in the third quarter, when UCLA pulled away for good. The Bruins outscored South Carolina 25–9 during that stretch. Their defense forced several turnovers and made it difficult for the Gamecocks to find open shots. South Carolina managed just a few field goals in the quarter, and the deficit quickly grew beyond reach.
Defense was a key factor all game. UCLA’s guards applied pressure on the perimeter, while Betts protected the paint and controlled rebounds. This combination slowed South Carolina’s offense and helped UCLA create fast-break opportunities on the other end. Once the Bruins gained momentum, they continued to build on it.
Head coach Cori Close, now in her 15th season, led a roster filled with experienced players. Many of the team’s main contributors were seniors or graduate students, and that experience showed in how they handled the championship setting. UCLA ended the season with a 37–1 overall record and went undefeated in conference play.
The win also added to UCLA’s overall success in athletics. The university now holds 126 NCAA team championships, placing it among the top programs in the country. This title was also the school’s second NCAA championship during the 2025–26 academic year.
On the other side, South Carolina finished its season at 36–4. The Gamecocks, coached by Dawn Staley, reached the title game for the second year in a row but struggled to keep up in this matchup. Tessa Johnson led the team in scoring with 14 points, but overall shooting numbers were lower than usual.
For UCLA, the win capped off a season that built on last year’s Final Four appearance. After falling short in that run, the Bruins returned with a more experienced group and a clear goal. In the championship game, they executed on both ends of the floor and maintained control throughout.
When the final buzzer sounded, UCLA had completed its run with a decisive victory. The team’s combination of defense, scoring depth, and experience carried them through the tournament and ultimately to a national championship.
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