UCLA WBB Wins Their First National Championship in Program History


With a historic run full of records and defining show outs throughout the season, the UCLA Bruins make history, taking down the South Carolina Gamecocks and capturing their first National Championship.

A Monstrous Final Victory

What Worked for UCLA?

Coming into this matchup, the clear goal of the South Carolina Gamecocks was simple: prevent the dominant scoring ability of UCLA's Lauren Betts, forcing the Bruins to rely on the other well-rounded seniors that played around the star center. UCLA held control this entire matchup with their largest lead being 35 points, though it came in an unexpected way. While South Carolina was able to keep Betts at just a 14-point 11-rebound double-double, it was UCLA's Gabriela Jaquez who stole the show. Shooting at least 50% from both field-goal percentage and beyond the arc, Jaquez had everything going for her in the biggest game of her college career. The senior guard's 20-piece was accompanied by 10 rebounds, recording just her second double-double of the season. The NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer, Caitlin Clark took to X during this matchup showing how impressed she was with the way Jaquez had played. Considering these things and even the high praise of Clark, perhaps Jaquez's draft stock will rise as she anticipates getting drafted in the 2026 WNBA Draft to take place April 13, 2026.

Senior Leadership -> Overall Dominance

Although Jaquez led the team in scoring, it was with the help of each of the six graduating Bruins that this victory was possible. In the final two games of these seniors' careers, the six of them recorded every point for UCLA in the Final Four and National Championship. Each of the five starting seniors put up at least 10 points and senior Angela Dugalic was a sparkplug leading the bench scoring 9 points of her own. Not only did UCLA flourish offensively, but also defensively, holding South Carolina to shooting a field-goal percentage less than 30% and only connecting on 2 three-pointers. Holding a team like South Carolina to just 51 total points with such a struggle shooting from anywhere on the court is beyond impressive. Such defensive efforts will likely be noted in scouting reports for seniors Lauren Betts, Gabriela Jaquez, Angela Dugalic, Gianna Kneepkens, Kiki Rice, and Charlise Leger-Walker. It is safe to say these seniors can do it all after this large 79-51 victory to take home UCLA's first National Championship in program history. Each of these things show what a tightknit team built by Coach Cori Close is capable of, and despite losing such a strong core group, UCLA's future is bright.

Takeaways for South Carolina

Room for Growth

No one wants to lose in the National Championship, but win or lose, there is always a lesson one can learn and apply for the future. It is with no doubt that Coach Dawn Staley did not plan for such a huge game to go so far in the other direction for her Gamecocks, but with that are things she can take into next season just as she did this year. Coach Staley has now lost her second National Championship game in a row, though you would have never guessed given the confidence she had with her team. South Carolina did not have the easy hand this season as stars Chloe Kitts and Ashlyn Watkins both sustained season ending injuries before the season had even begun. Not to mention the Gamecocks also lost one of the shiftiest guards in the country, MiLaysia Fulwiley to the transfer portal. This left South Carolina leaning heavily on Joyce Edwards, Raven Johnson, Tessa Johnson, and FSU transfer, Ta'Niya Latson to make things work. That said, not everyone can have the best game of their lives at the right time, and it showed as Tessa Johnson made her best efforts putting up 14 points on 50% shooting while no other starters put up double-digit scoring or even a single three-pointer. Although it was a hard loss, South Carolina knows they have it in them to make it back to this game again with the togetherness they strive to play with each game.

A Bright Future Ahead in Columbia

Despite losing seniors Ta'Niya Latson, Raven Johnson, and others, the Gamecocks have a lot to look forward to. With hopes that both Chloe Kitts and Ashlyn Watkins will make complete recoveries by next season, their experience will play a huge role in hopefully leading this team back to the Final Four. With top recruits in the 2026 class such as Jerzy Robinson and Kelsi Andrews, such young talent will be huge for South Carolina's future down the road, as well as their immediate success in the season to come. Will Coach Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks find their groove and perhaps even make it back to the National Championship as strong as they did in years past?

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