UCLA enters today’s national championship game with a chance to complete the most dominant season in school history. The Bruins, now 36-1, earned their first-ever NCAA title game appearance with a gritty 51-44 win over Texas in the Final Four. The victory avenged their only loss of the season and showcased the defensive identity that has carried them through March.
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Senior center Lauren Betts delivered the signature moment, blocking a Madison Booker layup with 20 seconds left to seal the win. The stop capped a defensive battle and sent UCLA to the championship stage for the first time since transitioning from the AIAW era in 1981.
Cori Close’s decade-long rebuild reaches its peak
Head coach Cori Close has transformed UCLA into a modern national power. Before her arrival in 2011, the Bruins had reached the Elite Eight only once. In her 15 seasons, Close has guided the program to eight Sweet Sixteens, three Elite Eights, and now back-to-back Final Fours.
Last year’s run ended against UConn, but this season’s group has been steadier, deeper, and more explosive. With Betts, Kiki Rice, Gabriela Jaquez, and Gianna Kneepkins, UCLA brings one of the nation’s most balanced offensive attacks into the title game.
South Carolina stands in the way of a storybook ending
South Carolina, 36-3, remains the sport’s most consistent force under head coach Dawn Staley. The Gamecocks have won three national championships since 2017 and are appearing in their sixth straight Final Four. Their only losses this season came twice to Texas, the same team UCLA handled on Friday.
South Carolina’s lineup is loaded with firepower, including Joyce Edwards, Ta’Niya Latson, and Madina Okot. The Gamecocks rank third nationally in scoring at 86.5 points per game, while UCLA sits seventh at 84, setting up a potential shootout in Phoenix.
Oddsmakers have South Carolina favored by 3.5 points, expecting a high-scoring, fast-paced championship matchup.
Tipoff set for Sunday afternoon in Phoenix
The national title game will be played at 12:30 p.m. PT in Phoenix, where UCLA will try to complete a 37-1 season and capture the program’s first NCAA women’s basketball championship. South Carolina seeks its fourth title under Staley and another chapter in its dynasty.
