UCLA’s joyful season ends with first national championship

UCLA may have danced its way throughout the Big Dance , but came out with intensity in the national championship, routing South Carolina by 79-51. The joy swirling around the players is a stark contrast to last season’s disappointment when the Bruins were eliminated by UConn in the Women’s Final Four. The loss was so tough that center Lauren Betts admitted to watching it at least 10 times.

Over one year later, Betts, alongside Gabriela Jaquez and Charlisse Leger-Walker, stood on the podium as “Just Keep Watching” by Tate McRae blared into Mortgage Matchup Center, signaling the trio’s viral dance routine. “I think that's why we're able to show up and do what we do all the time," Betts said. "You can still show up and do your job and be serious and compete, but there is a long journey that we've been on together.

"What an amazing way to finish off the season with a national championship, knowing that we did everything to get there basketball-wise, and we also just enjoyed each other. We're such a close group of girls, I'm going to miss them so much. I'm not even going to get into that.

” Just keep watching: UCLA Bruins dancing their way to Women's Final Four title game The program has been defined by joy and tight relationships. UCLA’s senior class included four players who spent the last three seasons together. But even newcomers like Gianna Kneepkens, who transferred following four seasons at Utah, were welcomed instantly.