‘We did it!’: UCLA wins 1st women’s NCAA title

The UCLA Bruins won their first-ever NCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship on 5 April 2026, defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks with a commanding 79–51 victory at the Footprint Center in Phoenix.

Championship Highlights

Dominant Performance: UCLA led by as many as 35 points during the fourth quarter, ending the game with a 28-point margin.
Key Players:
- Gabriela Jaquez: Led all scorers with 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
- Lauren Betts: Recorded a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
- Balanced Attack: Five different Bruins scored in double digits, including Lauren Betts, Jaquez, Kneepkens, Leger-Walker, and Rice.
Historic Milestone: This victory marked the first national title for the women’s basketball program and the 124th overall NCAA team title for UCLA.

Program Achievement

Under head coach Cori Close, the Bruins finished their historic 2025–26 season with a 37–1 overall record and a perfect 18–0 run in their inaugural Big Ten conference play. The win solidified UCLA’s position as a powerhouse, following their first-ever Final Four appearance just one season prior. [6, 7, 10, 11, 12]

While this is the program’s first NCAA basketball title, UCLA also claims a 1978 AIAW national crown. [10]

UCLA’s performance in Sunday’s women’s national final was a masterclass, etching their name in history with a truly overwhelming victory that saw them dismantle the South Carolina Gamecocks across the board. This wasn’t merely a win; it was a statement that solidified Coach Cori Close’s legacy with her inaugural championship. Here’s a breakdown of how they dominated every phase and orchestrated the blowout: 1. Offensive Efficiency and Balance: The Bruins showcased a potent and balanced attack that South Carolina simply couldn’t contain. They shot efficiently from the field, hitting crucial shots both inside and from beyond the arc. Their ball movement was crisp, leading to open looks and minimizing forced turnovers against a formidable Gamecocks defense. Multiple players contributed significantly to the scoring, preventing South Carolina from keying in on any single threat. 2. Suffocating Defense: Perhaps the most impressive aspect was UCLA’s defensive intensity. They locked down South Carolina’s potent offense, forcing contested shots, disrupting their offensive flow, and preventing easy scores. They limited the Gamecocks’ ability to get into rhythm, contested every pass and drive, and rotated exceptionally well to negate South Carolina’s traditional advantages in the paint. 3. Commanding Rebounding: Rebounding is often the heart of collegiate basketball, and UCLA owned the glass. They limited South Carolina’s second-chance opportunities with excellent defensive rebounding and consistently created their own extra possessions on the offensive end, grinding down the Gamecocks and extending leads. 4. Exceptional Transition Play: UCLA capitalized on South Carolina’s misses and turnovers, pushing the pace and getting out in transition for easy buckets. This not only added quick points to their tally but also prevented South Carolina from setting up their formidable half-court defense, further fueling the blowout. 5. Mental Toughness and Composure: From the opening tip, UCLA played with an undeniable energy and focus. They established control early, building a significant lead and maintaining their composure even when South Carolina attempted to mount brief runs. There was no wavering, no sign of championship-game nerves; just relentless execution. 6. Strategic Masterclass by Cori Close: This victory was a culmination of Cori Close’s vision and tactical brilliance. She prepared her team perfectly, devising a game plan that exploited South Carolina’s weaknesses while nullifying their strengths. This national title is a monumental achievement, representing years of dedication, belief, and program building, finally validated on women’s basketball’s biggest stage. It elevates her stature to the elite echelon of college coaches. In essence, UCLA didn’t just beat South Carolina; they fundamentally outplayed them in every aspect of the game – skill, strategy, effort, and execution – leaving no doubt about their status as national champions and delivering a deeply satisfying, historic victory for Coach Cori Close.