The UCLA Bruins, led by head coach Cori Close, finally found their place in history on Sunday, clinching their first-ever NCAA Championship with a dominant 79-51 victory over South Carolina in Phoenix.
After years of near-misses in March Madness, UCLA’s powerful performance left no doubt, as they turned the championship game into a one-sided affair.
Early Push and Control by UCLA
The game started with UCLA making an immediate statement. The Bruins took control right from the tip-off, with senior Lauren Betts, playing her final game, contributing with a 5-foot turnaround jumper assisted by Gabriela Jaquez.
From that point on, UCLA never relinquished the lead, showcasing efficient shooting in the first quarter—8-for-18 from the field and 2-for-4 from three-point range.
The Gamecocks, on the other hand, struggled early, with a disastrous 3-for-18 shooting performance in the first quarter (17%). The Bruins’ strong defensive presence, especially from Betts and Jaquez, set the tone and forced South Carolina to chase the game early on.
By the end of the first quarter, UCLA led by 11 points, and it was a lead they wouldn’t give up.
South Carolina’s Struggles and UCLA’s Defensive Dominance
The Gamecocks attempted to mount a comeback in the second quarter, sparked by Tessa Johnson, who scored five points in the first three minutes. However, UCLA’s seniors, including Jaquez, Rice, and Betts, responded with key scoring stretches to maintain the Bruins’ advantage.
Despite some improvement in shooting, South Carolina was still plagued by missed layups and poor offensive stretches.
By halftime, UCLA had built a commanding 13-point lead, thanks in large part to their superior defense, which saw them outrebound South Carolina 29-17, including a 19-10 advantage on the defensive boards.
Betts and Jaquez contributed 14 rebounds between them, while Johnson scored 10 of South Carolina’s 23 points. Betts also revealed during a halftime interview that she had been feeling some discomfort in her throat but was otherwise fine to continue playing.
UCLA Extends the Lead in the Second Half
In the third quarter, South Carolina’s woes continued as they went without a field goal for four minutes. Meanwhile, UCLA capitalized on the Gamecocks’ turnovers and poor shooting, going on a 7-0 run to further extend their lead.
Despite a few individual efforts from Johnson, including some late attempts to score, South Carolina was unable to generate consistent offense.
The Bruins’ defense suffocated the Gamecocks’ fast breaks and transitions, and Betts, standing at 6’7″, proved to be an insurmountable force in the paint. UCLA outscored South Carolina 25-9 in the third quarter, leading by 29 points as they headed into the final period.
Betts had a double-double by the end of the third quarter, with 12 points and 11 rebounds, marking her sixth double-double of the tournament. The Bruins continued to assert their dominance, with four starters reaching double digits in points by the end of the quarter.
A Historic Finish for UCLA
By the time the fourth quarter arrived, the game was effectively decided. Despite late scoring efforts from Agot Makeer and Tessa Johnson, it was clear that South Carolina had no chance of mounting a comeback. The game ended with a 79-51 score, marking a historic victory for UCLA.
Gabriela Jaquez sealed her place in history with an impressive 20-point, 10-rebound, and 5-assist performance, becoming only the fifth player to achieve such a stat line in a title game.
UCLA shot 43% from the field, while South Carolina was held to a dismal 29% shooting, including just two made three-pointers all night.
Emotional Moment for Coach Close and the Bruins
As the final buzzer sounded, it was a moment of pure elation for coach Cori Close and her senior players. The fear of letting down the senior players turned into a celebration of glory as the Bruins clinched their first NCAA Championship.
The senior class, including Lauren Betts, Gabriela Jaquez, Kiki Rice, Gianna Kneepkens, and Angela Dugalic, capped off their UCLA careers in the best way possible.
Coach Close, visibly emotional, shared a moment of celebration with her players. “It’s a dream come true,” she said, reflecting on the historic achievement.
South Carolina’s Heartbreak
For Dawn Staley and South Carolina, the loss was a tough pill to swallow. After their emotional victory over UConn in the Final Four, the Gamecocks fell short in the title game due to cold shooting and poor execution.
The loss dashed their hopes for a fourth national championship, leaving them with much to reflect on for next season.
