UCLA Routes South Carolina for First NCAA Women’s Title
UCLA vs South Carolina NCAA women’s championship 2026
The UCLA Bruins made program history on Sunday night at the Footprint Center in Phoenix. They captured their first-ever NCAA women’s basketball national championship with a commanding 79-51 victory over South Carolina. Senior star Gabriela Jaquez led the Bruins with a dominant performance. She recorded 21 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in the title game. UCLA established control of the matchup from the opening whistle.
Their aggressive defense and efficient scoring in the paint overwhelmed the Gamecocks. This historic win marks the first major national title for the Bruins since the 1978 AIAW championship. Head coach Cori Close celebrated with her team as confetti fell in Arizona. She noted that the group’s character determined their high ceiling this season.
Lauren Betts was another vital factor in the Bruins’ success. She scored 16 points and anchored a defense that limited South Carolina’s scoring opportunities. The Bruins held the Gamecocks to just 17 percent shooting in the first quarter alone. UCLA built a double-digit lead early and never allowed their opponents to recover.
According to reporting from The Guardian, the 28-point margin is the third-largest in the history of the women’s national championship game. The Bruins finished the season with a nearly perfect 37-1 record. Their only loss came in a tournament early in November. This victory validates the team’s journey since their Final Four loss in the previous year.
South Carolina struggled to find offensive consistency throughout the contest. Tessa Johnson led the Gamecocks with 14 points in the losing effort. However, the team shot poorly for most of the game against UCLA’s disciplined zone defense. The loss marks the second consecutive national championship game defeat for Dawn Staley’s squad.
As detailed by PBS News, the Gamecocks were attempting to win their third title in five seasons. Instead, the Bruins’ victory signals a major shift in the landscape of women’s college basketball. The Bruins effectively clogged the paint and forced South Carolina into difficult perimeter shots. This defensive strategy prevented the Gamecocks from using their traditional size advantage.
The atmosphere at the Footprint Center was filled with UCLA supporters and alumni. Gabriela Jaquez played one of the best games of her career in front of her family. Her brother Jaime Jaquez Jr. flew in from Miami to watch his alma mater take the crown. The Bruins’ seniors and graduate students officially ended their collegiate careers at the very top of the sport.
As reported by NBC Sports, the dominance shown by UCLA suggests they will remain a title contender for years to come. The university plans a massive victory celebration in Los Angeles later this week. Fans are eager to welcome home the champions after this historic run through March Madness.
Click Here for more News on Sports.
