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For the first time in program history, the UCLA Bruins are national champions in women’s basketball.
The Bruins defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks, the Dawn Staley-coached team that had reached the national title game three straight seasons and won it in 2024, in dominant fashion, 79-51.
Staley’s team didn’t look like it did against UConn in the Final Four, as they couldn’t figure things out offensively. A lot of that had to do with UCLA’s stifling defense, but the Bruins weren’t having the same problems when they had the ball in their hands.
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The UCLA Bruins women’s basketball team huddles before the NCAA Women’s Championship game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 4, 2026. (Ronaldo Bolaños/Los Angeles Times)
At the end of the third quarter, the Bruins held a massive 29-point lead over the Gamecocks, 61-32, as UCLA held South Carolina to just 24% shooting from the floor compared to their 43%.
In the end, UCLA made 43% of its shots to South Carolina’s 29%, which is always the goal of a team looking to win a title.
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It’s been a long time coming for Close, who has been leading the Bruins since the 2011-12 season. Last season marked the first time UCLA was in the Final Four of the women’s NCAA Tournament as a program, although they fell to the UConn Huskies, 85-51.
Kiki Rice of the UCLA Bruins reacts after making a three-point basket against the South Carolina Gamecocks late in the first quarter of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament National Championship at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 5, 2026. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
This time, it was the Bruins who got the job done against Texas, 51-44, to secure a spot in the national title. Of course, it wasn’t expected to be an easy feat against the Gamecocks, who defeated UConn, 62-48, resulting in a now-viral exchange between Staley and Geno Auriemma at half court.
However, Close has the right formula and the Bruins executed it to perfection Sunday afternoon to be crowned champions.
All five of Close’s starters finished the game with double-digit points, with Gabriela Jaquez, sister of former Bruins men’s basketball star and current Miami Heat guard Jaime Jaquez, leading the charge with 21 on 8-of-14 shooting. He also finished with a double-double after grabbing 10 rebounds.
Lauren Betts of the UCLA Bruins and Maryam Dauda of the South Carolina Gamecocks compete for position during the first quarter of the NCAA women’s basketball national championship at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 5, 2026. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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Lauren Betts also had a double-double, finishing the game with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Gianna Kneepkens (15 points, four assists), Charlisse Leger-Walker (10 points, four rebounds) and Kiki Rice (10 points, six rebounds, five assists) helped the Bruins keep pace against the Gamecocks, who couldn’t bring the game closer.
