The UCLA Bruins captured their first-ever NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship with a resounding 79–51 victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Sunday. This monumental win marked the culmination of a historic season, as UCLA completed the 2025–26 campaign with a 37–1 record, finishing as the top-ranked team throughout the year.
Head coach Cori Close, in her 15th season with the Bruins, led her team to a decisive performance in the championship game. The victory secured UCLA’s place in NCAA history and fulfilled a long-awaited goal of bringing the women’s basketball title back to the university for the first time since the pre-NCAA era of 1978. This championship adds to UCLA’s illustrious legacy across all sports, marking the 126th NCAA team title in the university’s history.
Dominant Third Quarter Powers Bruins to Title
The game remained competitive in the first half, with both teams exchanging momentum. However, UCLA seized control during a dominant third quarter, outscoring South Carolina 25–9. The Bruins employed a smothering full-court press, forcing the Gamecocks into eight turnovers during the period. South Carolina struggled with just 21% shooting from the field, which allowed UCLA to take a commanding 29-point lead heading into the final quarter.
Senior forward Gabriela Jaquez provided a spark for UCLA, leading the team with 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting. Jaquez’s ability to penetrate the defense and connect on mid-range jumpers forced South Carolina to abandon their zone defense, allowing center Lauren Betts to dominate the interior. With a solid mix of offense and defense, the Bruins effectively neutralized South Carolina’s strengths, ensuring a historic victory.
Balanced Scoring Leads UCLA to Victory
One of the key factors in UCLA’s success was their balanced offensive attack. All five starters scored in double figures, showcasing the team’s depth and versatility. Lauren Betts, who anchored the paint, contributed 14 points and 11 rebounds, marking her 22nd double-double of the season. Her presence in the post disrupted South Carolina’s second-chance opportunities, an area where the Gamecocks had been dominant throughout the season.
Gianna Kneepkens provided crucial perimeter scoring, totaling 15 points, including three critical three-pointers that halted South Carolina’s momentum in the second quarter. Backcourt players Charlisse Leger-Walker and Kiki Rice each added 10 points. Rice, in particular, was instrumental in managing the pace of the game, registering seven assists while facilitating UCLA’s ball movement. This well-rounded effort made the Bruins nearly impossible to scout, as the ball consistently found the open shooter.
UCLA’s Perfect Big Ten Season Sets Stage for Title Run
UCLA’s path to the national championship was paved through an undefeated 18–0 season in the Big Ten Conference. This marked the Bruins’ second year in the expanded Big Ten, where they proved to be resilient and adaptable in the face of diverse playing styles across the conference. UCLA entered the NCAA tournament as a No. 1 seed, navigating a challenging bracket that included key wins over Texas, which propelled them to the Final Four.
This season also saw an increase in fan engagement for the women’s program, with social media metrics surpassing those of the men’s basketball team for the first time in UCLA’s history. The “Westwood Wave,” characterized by fast-paced transitions and unselfish play, became a defining feature of UCLA’s identity, helping to attract top recruits. The program’s success on the court, coupled with its growing brand, has positioned UCLA as a national powerhouse in women’s college basketball.
Cori Close’s Championship Legacy
For head coach Cori Close, this title represents the pinnacle of a 15-year journey of building a championship contender at UCLA. Since taking the reins in 2011, Close has focused on fostering a “character-first” culture, prioritizing player development and long-term success over quick fixes such as transfers. This philosophy has paid off, as the core of the 2026 championship team consists of players who have spent their entire collegiate careers at UCLA.
Under Close’s leadership, the Bruins have developed a reputation for hard work, discipline, and teamwork, all of which were evident in their title run. The victory also has significant implications for UCLA’s broader athletic standing, as the university now ranks second in the nation for the most NCAA team titles across all sports.
