UCLA Wins Historic National Championship
PHOENIX — With just under four minutes left in the 2026 NCAA Women’s National Championship Game, UCLA’s Lauren Betts and Kiki Rice exited the game, heading for a heartfelt hug with head coach Cori Close. Moments later, senior Gabriela Jacks drained a 3-pointer, extending the Bruins’ lead to 79-45. As Jacks left the court, she waved her arms, rallying the UCLA fans who chanted “MVP, MVP.” The atmosphere in Phoenix, Arizona, was electric, especially since UCLA entered the game as an underdog against South Carolina, a team making its fifth national championship appearance since 2017.
On this memorable Sunday, UCLA achieved a milestone by claiming their first national championship in the NCAA Tournament era. They had previously won the AIAW National Championship in 1978, featuring the iconic Ann Meyers Drysdale.
From the outset, UCLA exhibited a focus and determination that set the tone for the game. The Bruins played with high energy and were aggressive on defense. In contrast, South Carolina struggled tremendously, shooting just 26% from the field by halftime and finishing the game at 18-of-62 overall, including 2-of-15 from three-point range.
“UCLA played a big part in our shooting difficulties,” South Carolina’s head coach Dawn Staley commented after the game. “I thought we needed to perform at a higher level. I had to see us making shots and creating offensive opportunities. They pressured us and really capitalized on our mistakes.”
Despite attempting a full-court press and shifting to a zone defense, South Carolina could not ignite any momentum. They ended up losing 49-37, with a significant deficit in the paint where they scored 12 points less than UCLA’s 40. The Bruins led by 20 points just five minutes into the third quarter and entered the final period with a commanding 61-32 lead.
Staley acknowledged UCLA’s experience, noting, “They’re a strong team with seasoned players. Their journey to the Final Four last year really paid off. They played with a sense of purpose this season, capitalizing on the lessons learned from past experiences.”
Finishing the season with an impressive 37-1 record, the Bruins celebrated their longest winning streak—31 consecutive victories in a single season.
“We entered this game with confidence, believing we could win. When we play as a unit, we’re unstoppable,” Betts stated. “Honestly, no one cares about individual stats when you have a championship ring.”
Last year’s defeat, a disheartening loss to eventual champions UW in the Final Four, lingered for the Bruins. Yet, head coach Kroos expressed that he could finally celebrate this season’s triumph.
All five UCLA starters scored in double figures, with Jaquez leading the pack with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. Angela Dugaric added nine points, five rebounds, and four assists. Notably, Betts was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.
“We’ve emphasized that selflessness and hard work would guide us through the season,” Kroos remarked post-game.
While UCLA is set to lose several key players to the WNBA draft, the current focus is on celebration.
“We genuinely felt that this was our year, our moment,” Rice said during the postgame press conference.
Staley, addressing the loss, suggested it could serve as motivation for the Gamecocks moving forward. “I believe such a loss can really fuel our drive for next season,” she reflected. “It’s about finding something that will carry you through both the hard times and the successes.”
