UCLA claims national title for the first time in the NCAA-era
The Bruins had their most complete game of the season when it mattered most. Now, they're national champions.
UCLA Bruins guard Kiki Rice (1) and forward Gabriela Jaquez (11) celebrate with the trophy on the podium after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks in the National Championship game of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center. PHOENIX - The entire season, UCLA has been defined by its depth. Any given Bruin on any given day could rise to the occasion and take over games.
It won them a program-record 30 straight games and took them to the NCAA Championship on Sunday, where they won the fateful 31st game and did much more. UCLA defeated South Carolina 79-51 to claim the first NCAA title in program history, joining the 1977-78 Bruins as the only two national champions ever produced by UCLA. The entire Bruin starting five scored in the double-digits, with senior forward Gabriela Jaquez leading the way with 21 points, 10 rebounds and five assists while shooting 8-14 from the field for her first double-double since the very first game of the season, doing it all in front of her brother Miami Heat forward and UCLA alumnus Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Holly Rowe: "Who did you decide to be this season? " Gabriela Jaquez: "We decided to be national champions. " @SportingTrib — Jack Haslett (@JackHaslett_13) April 5, 2026 Learning from the Tournament Every lesson that the Bruins learned during the tournament, from the hot starts of Cal Baptist and Minnesota to the defense of Duke in the Elite Eight and the grudge match that was their game against Texas, was taken into account and adjusted for against South Carolina.
UCLA jumped on the floor hard and fast and didn’t look back, outscoring the Gamecocks 21-10 in the first quarter and never turning the lead over once. THE BRUINS HAVE DONE IT! UCLA is the 2026 NCAA national champion!