UCLA women’s basketball makes history in national championship run
The NCAA March Madness tournaments come to a close in early April, and two new men’s and women’s basketball champions will be crowned this week. On Sunday, the women’s bracket delivered a historic finish as UCLA faced South Carolina in a winner-take-all championship game. MORE: UConn may be without key contributor for NCAA title game vs.
Michigan UCLA pulled away for a dominant victory, capturing the program’s first national title. The top-seeded Bruins capped a remarkable run and cemented their place in history. Performance for the ages They controlled the game from start to finish.
After building a 10-point halftime lead, UCLA suffocated South Carolina’s offense and outscored the Gamecocks by 18 in the second half to secure a 79–51 win. Gabriela Jaquez led the Bruins with 34 minutes and 21 points. She proved to be the best player on the court, adding five assists and 10 rebounds in a standout performance.
Two-time All-American and Big Ten Player of the Year Lauren Betts added 14 points and 11 rebounds. Apr 5, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins cheerleaders celebrate after the win against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Leading the way for the Gamecocks was junior guard Tessa Johnson, who recorded 14 points, three rebounds, and one assist.
Some may point to South Carolina’s Final Four matchup just days earlier. After that game, head coach Dawn Staley engaged in a heated exchange with Geno Auriemma, who also accused her of inappropriate behavior during the contest. MORE: Watch Dawn Staley, Geno Auriemma heated altercation in tense Final Four battle While those events were not directly related to the championship game, they may have lingered in the minds of fans and players as the game unfolded.