4/6/2026
By: Jennifer Portee
UCLA didn’t just cut down the nets they carried history with them.
In a performance that blended poise, power, and purpose, the Bruins secured their first NCAA women’s basketball championship with a dominating 79–51 win over South Carolina. From the opening tip, it was clear UCLA wasn’t just hoping to win they expected to.
Led by Lauren Betts, who controlled the paint on both ends and earned Most Outstanding Player honors, UCLA operated with confidence and clarity. But this wasn’t about one star carrying the load it was about a team fully locked in. Gabriela Jaquez delivered a defining performance, impacting the game as a scorer, rebounder, and facilitator. Every play felt intentional, every moment earned.
For head coach Cori Close, this win hit deeper than the scoreboard. It was the result of years of building a culture rooted in trust, accountability, and belief. UCLA’s history shaped by pioneers and legends was part of this moment, but this team made sure to leave its own mark. They didn’t shy away from expectations; they embraced them.
The Bruins played like a team on a mission. They dominated inside, defended with urgency, and stayed connected on both ends of the floor. By halftime, they had already created distance. In the second half, they turned control into closure.
South Carolina, known for its toughness and composure, never found its rhythm. Shots didn’t fall, and UCLA never allowed them to settle in. It was one of those games where one team dictated everything, and the other was left trying to respond.
After the game, the tone from South Carolina was honest and reflective.
During the postgame press conference, I asked Raven Johnson and Ta’Niya Latson what advice they would give younger players preparing to step into bigger roles next season. Johnson kept it real: “I would say trust the process, there’s gonna be a lot of highs with the highs & a lot of lows with the lows, but believe in Coach Staley. She wants the best for you, & you might not get what you want in that moment, but if you just believe in the process and trust the process everything will turn out good.”
Latson echoed that mindset, adding, “Yeah, I would say the same thing… trust in the process, working on your game constantly, getting better on all your weaknesses, listening, being patient, trying to elevate your game, and be a good teammate.”
In the end, this wasn’t just about UCLA winning a title it was about alignment. Talent met preparation, belief met execution, and a veteran group delivered when the moment demanded everything. They honored the past, owned the present, and set a new standard moving forward.
Because whether you’re celebrating at the top or regrouping for what’s next, the message stays the same trust the work, stay ready, and when your moment comes, don’t hesitate.