The women's basketball program at the University of California, Los Angeles captured its first NCAA championship on Sunday, defeating No. 1-seed South Carolina 79-51 at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix to complete a 37-1 season.
Led by head coach Cori Close, the Bruins received congratulations from former President Barack Obama and California Gov. Gavin Newsom following the victory.
What the Left Is Saying
Former President Barack Obama, an avid basketball fan who picked UCLA to lose to UConn in his pre-tournament bracket, congratulated the Bruins on their championship. 'Congratulations to Lauren Betts and the sensational seniors at @UCLAWBB for winning their first NCAA Championship!' Obama wrote on the social platform X.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom also celebrated the victory, posting on X: 'HUGE congrats, @UCLAWBB!!'
Senior guard Gabriela Jaquez, who recorded 21 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and a steal in the championship game, addressed fans on the court after the final buzzer. 'I knew we were going to do it,' a teary-eyed Jaquez told ESPN's Holly Rowe. 'Coming to UCLA, we all set out for a goal, and I imagined this moment. I imagined it so many times, and I'm just so, so proud.'
What the Right Is Saying
Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) congratulated South Carolina on their 36-4 season despite the championship game loss, praising head coach Dawn Staley's leadership. '.@GamecockWBB and Coach @dawnstaley showed what heart, leadership, and discipline look like all season,' Scott wrote on X. 'Well done – you fought hard and made South Carolina proud through every step of the journey.'
South Carolina had appeared in five championship games in the last nine tournaments under Staley, winning titles in 2017, 2022 and 2024. The Gamecocks fell to UCLA in their second consecutive title game appearance, after losing to UConn 82-59 in last April's championship.
What the Numbers Show
UCLA finished its season with a 37-1 record. The Bruins defeated South Carolina 79-51 in the championship game, outscoring the Gamecocks 28-12 in the fourth quarter.
Senior guard Gabriela Jaquez recorded 21 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and a steal in the final. Backcourt partner Gianna Kneepkens added 15 points and four assists. Center Lauren Betts, named Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, contributed 14 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks.
The championship marks UCLA's first NCAA title in women's basketball, though the Bruins won the 1978 AIAW tournament. It is the university's 126th NCAA title across all sports, ranking second only to Stanford University.
South Carolina finished 36-4 this season. The Gamecocks had been 62-48 winners over previously unbeaten UConn in the Final Four on Friday, avenging their 2025 championship game loss to the Huskies.
The Bottom Line
UCLA's first NCAA women's basketball championship caps a dominant 37-1 season and adds to the university's storied athletic program. The Bruins' victory over a South Carolina program that had reached three of the last four title games underscores their breakthrough season. While the political response was largely congratulatory from both sides, attention now turns to Monday's men's championship game between No. 1-seed Michigan and No. 2-seed UConn at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.