UCLA Women’s Basketball Wins First NCAA Title in Dominant Season
The UCLA women’s basketball team just carved out a spot in sports history with a blowout win over South Carolina, clinching their first NCAA women’s basketball championship. The Bruins finished off an almost flawless season, racking up a 37-1 record and a 79-51 victory in the final.
This win is huge—not just for the team, but for head coach Cori Close and the Big Ten Conference, too. Honestly, it’s a season that’s going to be tough to top.
The Road to Victory
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The Bruins’ path to their first NCAA women’s basketball title was honestly a wild ride. They pretty much ran the show in the national championship game, leading all but one minute.
UCLA grabbed a double-digit lead by the end of the first quarter, thanks to a clutch 3-pointer from Kiki Rice that pushed the score to 21-10. That shot set the pace, and South Carolina never really threatened after that.
First Quarter Domination
Right from the jump, the Bruins looked locked in. Kiki Rice’s three was a momentum-changer, and it felt like UCLA’s defense just shut the door on South Carolina.
By the time the first quarter ended, the Bruins were up by at least 10, and honestly, the gap never really closed after that.
Third Quarter Surge
The second quarter felt pretty even, but things exploded in the third. UCLA stretched a 36-23 halftime lead into a massive 61-32 advantage by the end of the third quarter.
Gabriela Jaquez really took over during this stretch, dropping seven of her game-high 21 points and making all sorts of hustle plays. At that point, the fourth quarter was really just a formality.
Star Performances
The win was a team effort, but a few players stood out in a big way. Gabriela Jaquez, Lauren Betts, and Kiki Rice all had major moments when it mattered most.
Gabriela Jaquez
Gabriela Jaquez was everywhere—she finished with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. Her energy and grit on both ends kept UCLA rolling all game long.
Lauren Betts
Lauren Betts, a First-Team All-American, closed out her college career with style. She scored 14 points and pulled down 11 rebounds, adding another highlight to an already impressive legacy.
Betts made a real impact after transferring from Stanford in 2023, and this win just cements her place among UCLA’s best.
The Senior Class Legacy
The 2026 senior class—Gabriela Jaquez, Lauren Betts, Kiki Rice, Gianna Kneepkens, and Charlisse Leger-Walker—will go down as one of the most talented groups UCLA has ever seen. They’ve definitely left their mark.
Consistent Success
With these seniors leading, UCLA reached the Sweet 16 in each of the past four seasons. The Bruins also made their first Final Four appearance in 2025.
Honestly, that’s the kind of consistency that takes a program to another level.
WNBA Prospects
All five seniors look set to be early picks in the 2026 WNBA Draft. That’s a testament to their work ethic and talent—no question.
Coach Cori Close’s Milestone
This championship is a major moment for head coach Cori Close, too. In her 15th season, she’s turned UCLA into a powerhouse, racking up a 358-144 record.
She’s easily among the top coaches in the game right now.
Building a Powerhouse
With Close running the show, UCLA has become a regular threat in the NCAA tournament. Her knack for bringing in and developing top players has been a game-changer.
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This title feels like the payoff for years of grinding and smart recruiting.
Historical Significance
UCLA’s win isn’t just big for the school—it’s a huge deal for the Big Ten Conference. The Bruins just gave the Big Ten its first women’s basketball title in 27 years, with Purdue last winning in 1999.
Big Ten’s Dominance
The Big Ten could pull off something rare this year. If Michigan takes the men’s basketball championship, the conference would become the first since the SEC in 2006-07 to win football, men’s, and women’s basketball titles in one academic year.
That’s a level of depth and strength across sports that you don’t see often.
Looking Ahead
Now that UCLA has its first NCAA women’s basketball championship, the future feels pretty exciting. The bar is high, thanks to this senior class, and the Bruins are hungry to keep it going.
Recruiting and Development
With Cori Close still at the helm, UCLA looks set to stay near the top. Their ability to bring in talent and keep developing players will be key to staying a powerhouse in women’s college basketball.
Continued Excellence
UCLA’s championship win really shows the hard work and grit of the players, coaches, and staff. The Bruins have their eyes on the future now.
They’re hoping to build on this momentum and stay a powerhouse in women’s college basketball. For more details on UCLA’s wild ride and their first title, check out the full article here.