Mission Accomplished: 5 takeaways from UCLA WBB National Championship

The Bruins did it. The UCLA women's basketball team had a happy Easter, as they defeated South Carolina in the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball National Championship at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona on Sunday. The Bruins can rest as their veteran class achieved UCLA women's basketball's first NCAA National Championship and first National Championship since 1978.

UCLA head coach Cori Close's team played united and stifled any attempt of Dawn Staley's Gamecocks from taking home NCAA Women's Basketball National Championship Trophy. Deny! Deny!

Deny! The Bruins led for nearly the entire of the game as they were in control for nearly 98 percent of the championship showdown. UCLA's defense left no doubts in the biggest game of the season as they held the Gamecocks below 15-points in the first three quarters.

Racking up points The Bruins starting five each scored 10 or more points and UCLA outscored South Carolina in the first three quarters. UCLA made 43 percent of their shots from the field and 42 percent from beyond the arc, but the Bruins also played unselfishly by sharing the ball and piled on 23 assists. Betts does it all Superstar center Lauren Betts left the first quarter early with a unique throat injury, but returned to the game and made her presence felt throughout the entirety of the game.