UCLA wins against South Carolina, 79-51, to secure their first women’s basketball championship

UCLA Bruins Capture First Women’s Basketball National Championship

In a historic moment, the UCLA Bruins have secured their first national championship in women’s basketball. They achieved this milestone by decisively defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks, last season’s champions, with a score of 79-51.

The game marked the Bruins’ third consecutive appearance in the national title matchup. In contrast, the Gamecocks, led by renowned coach Dawn Staley, struggled offensively, something that UCLA’s staunch defense capitalized on. In fact, the Bruins faced no such issues on their end.

By the conclusion of the third quarter, the Bruins had expanded their lead to 29 points, sitting at 61-32. Statistics highlighted their dominance—UCLA shot 43% from the field, while South Carolina could only manage a mere 24%. Ultimately, the final figures showed UCLA at 43% shooting against South Carolina’s 29%. It’s clear—the goal of any championship team is to outshoot their opponent, and the Bruins accomplished this significantly.

This victory is a long-awaited achievement for coach Cori Close, who has been at the helm since the 2011-12 season. Last year, UCLA reached the Final Four but fell short against the UConn Huskies, suffering an 85-51 defeat.

In a turnaround this year, the Bruins’ path to victory included a tight 51-44 win against Texas in the semifinals, setting them up against South Carolina. The match included a notable exchange between Staley and fellow coach Geno Auriemma at midcourt, emphasizing the high stakes involved.

UCLA’s formula for success was executed flawlessly on the day of the championship. All five Bruins starters scored in double digits, with Gabriela Jaquez, the sister of Miami Heat guard Jaime Jaquez, leading the team with 21 points and also achieving a double-double with 10 rebounds.

Lauren Betts also recorded a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while teammates Gianna Neepkens (15 points), Charice Leger-Walker (10 points), and Kiki Rice (10 points, along with 6 rebounds and 5 assists) maintained the Bruins’ commanding lead throughout the game.

The Gamecocks, despite their strong season, were unable to keep pace with UCLA’s relentless performance, ultimately leading to the Bruins’ historic victory.