Overview
- UCLA, which rolled Sunday 79-51 in Phoenix, captured its first NCAA-era championship in a wire-to-wire win over a South Carolina team in its third straight final.
- Senior Gabriela Jaquez led with 21 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, while 6-foot-7 Lauren Betts posted 14 points and 11 boards to earn Most Outstanding Player.
- The Bruins held the Gamecocks to 29% shooting, dominated the boards 49-37 and blew the game open with a 16-point edge in the third quarter.
- All five starters — all seniors — scored in double figures as UCLA finished 37-1 and pushed its win streak to a program-record 31 games, with several now eyeing the April 13 WNBA draft.
- The championship is UCLA’s first in the NCAA era after an AIAW crown in 1978, capping a long build under Close that followed last year’s Final Four loss.