UCLA Wins First NCAA Women’s Championship in Dominant Fashion

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UCLA Wins First NCAA Women’s Championship in Dominant Fashion/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ UCLA defeated South Carolina 79-51 to win its first NCAA women’s basketball championship. Gabriela Jaquez and Lauren Betts led the Bruins’ dominant performance. The victory capped a historic 37-1 season and completed UCLA’s redemption journey.

UCLA players celebrate after defeating South Carolina in the women’s National Championship Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament game, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley motions towards the court against UCLA during the second half of the women’s National Championship Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament game, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

UCLA NCAA Championship Victory + Quick Looks

UCLA wins first NCAA women’s basketball title
Bruins defeat South Carolina 79-51
Gabriela Jaquez scores 21 points
Lauren Betts earns Final Four MOP
UCLA finishes season 37-1
South Carolina loses second straight title game
Coach Cori Close wins first national championship
Bruins dominate defensively and offensively

UCLA guard Gabriela Jaquez (11) grabs a rebound over South Carolina guard Tessa Johnson (5) during the second half of the women’s National Championship Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament game, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Deep Look: UCLA Wins First NCAA Women’s Championship in Dominant Fashion

UCLA completed a historic season Sunday, defeating South Carolina 79-51 to capture the program’s first NCAA women’s basketball national championship. The victory marked a defining moment for the Bruins, who entered the season determined to finish unfinished business after falling short in last year’s Final Four.

Senior Gabriela Jaquez led UCLA with 21 points, while Lauren Betts added 16 points and 11 rebounds in a dominant all-around performance. Betts, a 6-foot-7 center, earned Most Outstanding Player honors for the Final Four after anchoring UCLA’s defense throughout the tournament.

“I knew we were going to do it,” Jaquez said following the victory. “Coming to UCLA, we all set out for this goal. I imagined this moment so many times. Celebrating with this group means everything.”

The Bruins controlled the game from the opening tip, overwhelming South Carolina with defensive pressure and efficient scoring. UCLA’s 28-point victory was one of the most lopsided wins in NCAA women’s championship game history.

UCLA finished the season 37-1, with its only loss coming in November against Texas during a Thanksgiving tournament. The Bruins then dominated March Madness, winning each game convincingly en route to the championship.

Coach Cori Close, who has led UCLA for 15 seasons, called the championship “beyond my wildest dreams.”

“It’s immeasurably more than I could ask or imagine,” Close said. “The talent is our floor, but our character determined our ceiling.”

Seniors Lead UCLA’s Historic Run

UCLA’s senior class played a critical role in securing the championship. Jaquez, who spent all four years at UCLA, also contributed 10 rebounds and five assists in the title game.

Her brother, Jaime Jaquez Jr., currently playing for the Miami Heat, attended the championship game to support his sister and watch UCLA secure its historic victory.

The Bruins relied heavily on experienced players and graduate transfers assembled by Coach Close, with seniors accounting for all of UCLA’s points in the championship game.

The team’s chemistry and discipline proved decisive throughout the tournament.

Defensive Dominance

UCLA’s defense set the tone early. South Carolina struggled offensively from the start, shooting just 17% in the first quarter — its worst opening period of the season.

A 3-pointer from Kiki Rice just before the end of the first quarter gave UCLA a 21-10 lead. The Bruins continued to expand their advantage in the second quarter, building a 36-23 halftime lead.

UCLA effectively controlled the paint defensively while generating high-percentage scoring opportunities on offense.

The Bruins then delivered the knockout blow in the third quarter, opening the half with a 12-3 run. Jaquez scored five points during the stretch, and UCLA outscored South Carolina 25-9 in the quarter.

South Carolina never recovered.

“We just didn’t have it today,” South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said. “They were the better team.”

South Carolina Falls Short

The Gamecocks entered the championship game hoping to secure their fourth national title and third in five seasons. Instead, they suffered their second consecutive championship game loss.

Tessa Johnson led South Carolina with 14 points, while Agot Makeer added 11.

South Carolina struggled offensively throughout the game, recording its worst shooting performance of the season against UCLA’s defense.

“This is not the ending we wanted, but we got here,” Tessa Johnson said. “No one thought we would.”

Despite the loss, South Carolina remains one of the sport’s top programs and is expected to contend again next season.

Historic Moment for UCLA

The championship marked UCLA’s first NCAA women’s basketball title and its first major women’s postseason championship since winning the AIAW title in 1978, before the NCAA took over women’s tournaments in 1982.

For Coach Close, the victory carried additional meaning. She credited legendary UCLA men’s basketball coach John Wooden as a major influence on her coaching philosophy.

Close began learning from Wooden when she was 22 years old. She adopted his famous “Pyramid of Success” philosophy, emphasizing character and teamwork.

“Coach Wooden always said you have to do it your way,” Close said. “I tried to stay true to that.”

That approach helped UCLA build one of the most dominant teams in recent memory.

With a near-perfect season, dominant tournament run, and historic championship victory, UCLA’s 2026 team has secured its place among the greatest in women’s college basketball history.