Trending Now - UCLA Triumphs in NCAA Women's Basketball Amid Betts' Challenges

WHO:

Los Angeles Times - UCLA's point guard Charlisse Leger-Walker stated, “Just winning with this team, turning around and seeing my team run to the court after the final buzzer, there is a balance of being in the moment, but you can’t help in the last couple seconds, it hits.”

Los Angeles Times - UCLA senior Angela Dugalic said, “We had the rest of the game, but it just felt like, ‘We’re OK, we got this.’”

NBC News - UCLA's coach Cori Close stated, “If any of our six seniors were on any other team, I believe they would have been an All-American, first team.”

Daily Mail Sports - Lauren Betts, 22 years old, opened up about her struggles with depression just weeks before the championship win.

Sportskeeda - Raven Johnson praised Lauren Betts, stating, “She went through a lot” after her performance in the national championship game.

Los Angeles Times - UCLA's senior center Lauren Betts expressed her feelings about the championship win, stating, “I just never wanted to feel that way ever again.”

Los Angeles Times - UCLA guard Kiki Rice said, “Today was just a fantastic display of our resilience, intensity that we came out with.”

Los Angeles Times - Lauren Betts, Kiki Rice, Charlisse Leger-Walker, Gabriela Jaquez, Angela Dugalic, Gianna Kneepkens, Cori Close, South Carolina Gamecocks

Daily Mail Sports - Lauren Betts

WHAT:

Los Angeles Times - UCLA's victory over South Carolina was described as a "full-blown party" by the end of the game.

Los Angeles Times - UCLA's defense held South Carolina to a season-worst 18 for 62 shooting from the floor and two for 15 from three-point range.

Los Angeles Times - UCLA's 30-point lead at the end of the third quarter was noted as the largest lead ever for a team going into the fourth quarter of an NCAA championship game.

ESPN - UCLA's victory over South Carolina on April 2nd, 2026, marked their first NCAA women's basketball championship title.

Newsweek - UCLA's championship win marked their first NCAA title in women's basketball history.

ESPN - UCLA finished the season at No. 1 in the Associated Press women's basketball Top 25 on April 3rd, 2026, marking the first time in school history they ended the season as the top choice.

ESPN - The Gamecocks were ranked second behind UCLA in the final poll, with UConn and Texas finishing third and fourth, respectively.

Los Angeles Times - UCLA's victory over South Carolina was described as a "full-blown party" by the end of the game.

Los Angeles Times - UCLA's defense held South Carolina to a season-worst shooting percentage of 29% overall.

Los Angeles Times - UCLA's 30-point lead at the end of the third quarter was noted as the largest lead ever for a team going into the fourth quarter of an NCAA championship game.

Los Angeles Times - UCLA's 79-51 win over South Carolina was the largest margin of victory in an NCAA women's basketball championship game.

Los Angeles Times - UCLA's Kiki Rice scored 10 points, had six rebounds, and five assists in the championship game.

Los Angeles Times - Gabriela Jaquez scored 21 points and had 10 rebounds in the championship game.

Los Angeles Times - UCLA's defense held South Carolina to 25.7% shooting in the first half.

Los Angeles Times - UCLA outscored South Carolina 25-9 in the third quarter.

Los Angeles Times - Lauren Betts was named the tournament's most outstanding player.

Los Angeles Times - Betts scored 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the championship game.

Los Angeles Times - UCLA's strategy included a strong defensive performance that limited South Carolina to only 51 points, their lowest total of the season.

Los Angeles Times - UCLA's strategy included strong defensive play and effective rebounding, dominating the boards 49-36 against South Carolina.

Los Angeles Times - UCLA's coach Cori Close emphasized the importance of the team's journey and preparation leading to their championship win, stating, “It’s just really with great humility. Man, we are so fortunate to be experiencing that.”

ESPN - UCLA's victory over South Carolina on April 2nd, 2026, marked their first NCAA women's basketball championship title.

Sportskeeda - Barack Obama sent a special message to Lauren Betts and the UCLA team after their championship win.

NBC News - UCLA's strategy of relying solely on senior players was highlighted as a key factor in their championship success.

ESPN - UCLA finished the season at No. 1 in the Associated Press women's basketball Top 25 on April 3rd, 2026, marking the first time in school history they ended the season as the top choice.

ESPN - UCLA was a unanimous choice from the 31-member national media panel in the final poll.

ESPN - The Gamecocks were ranked second behind UCLA in the final poll, with UConn and Texas finishing third and fourth, respectively.

NBC News - UCLA's strategy relied heavily on using all seniors throughout the tournament, which contributed to their championship victory.

Newsweek - UCLA's championship win marked their first NCAA title in women's basketball history.

Los Angeles Times - UCLA's victory was described as a "full-blown party" by the end of the game.

Los Angeles Times - UCLA's defense held South Carolina to a season-low 18 for 62 shooting from the floor.

Los Angeles Times - UCLA's 30-point lead at the end of the third quarter was noted as the largest lead ever for a team going into the fourth quarter of an NCAA championship game.

Los Angeles Times - UCLA's victory marked their first NCAA women's basketball championship title.

Los Angeles Times - The Bruins' 79-51 win over South Carolina was the largest margin of victory in an NCAA women's basketball championship game.

Los Angeles Times - UCLA's defense held South Carolina to a season-worst shooting percentage of 29% overall.

Los Angeles Times - UCLA's Kiki Rice scored 10 points, had six rebounds, and five assists in the championship game.

Los Angeles Times - The Bruins' 25-9 scoring run in the third quarter was part of a 13-0 run during that period.

Los Angeles Times - UCLA won the NCAA women's basketball national championship with a score of 79-51 against South Carolina on April 2nd, 2026.

Los Angeles Times - UCLA had a 30-point lead by the end of the third quarter.

Los Angeles Times - Lauren Betts was named the tournament's most outstanding player.

Los Angeles Times - Betts scored 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the championship game.

Los Angeles Times - Gabriela Jaquez scored 21 points and had 10 rebounds.

Los Angeles Times - UCLA's defense held South Carolina to 25.7% shooting in the first half and 18 for 62 overall.

Los Angeles Times - UCLA outscored South Carolina 25-9 in the third quarter.

Daily Mail Sports - Lauren Betts opened up about her struggles with depression prior to the championship win.

WHERE:

Los Angeles Times - The championship game took place in the United States, specifically involving UCLA and South Carolina.

WHEN:

Los Angeles Times - The championship game took place on April 2nd, 2026.

Newsweek - The championship gear for UCLA's national title win is now available for purchase following their victory on April 2nd, 2026.

Daily Mail Sports - Lauren Betts detailed her mental health struggles weeks before the championship win on April 2nd, 2026.

Los Angeles Times - The NCAA women's basketball national championship game occurred on April 2nd, 2026.

Los Angeles Times - UCLA previously lost to Connecticut in the semifinals on March 31st, 2025.

WHY:

Los Angeles Times - Lauren Betts expressed a desire to avoid the feeling of losing again after the previous year's semifinal loss.

HOW:

Los Angeles Times - UCLA's strategy included not turning the ball over often, contributing to their dominant performance.

Los Angeles Times - UCLA's coach Cori Close stated, “If any of our six seniors were on any other team, I believe they would have been an All-American, first team.”

NBC News - UCLA's unconventional strategy of relying solely on senior players was a key factor in their successful championship run.

Los Angeles Times - UCLA's strategy included not turning the ball over often, contributing to their dominant performance.

Los Angeles Times - UCLA's strategy included a strong defensive performance that limited South Carolina to only 51 points, their lowest total of the season.

Los Angeles Times - UCLA's strategy included strong defensive play and effective rebounding, dominating the boards 49-36 against South Carolina.

(UPDATED April 7, 2026 03:50 UTC)

UCLA's women's basketball team celebrated a stunning victory over South Carolina in the NCAA championship game on Thursday, with a final score that left fans buzzing. The Bruins' defense was relentless, holding South Carolina to a season-worst shooting performance, while UCLA built a commanding 30-point lead by the end of the third quarter, the largest ever for a team heading into the fourth quarter of an NCAA championship game. Point guard Charlisse Leger-Walker expressed the thrill of the moment, saying it felt surreal to see her teammates rush the court after the final buzzer.

(UPDATED April 6, 2026 23:05 UTC)

UCLA's women's basketball team celebrated a historic victory on Thursday, as they claimed their first NCAA championship title by defeating South Carolina. Following this remarkable win, UCLA finished the season ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press women's basketball Top 25 for the first time in school history, with South Carolina coming in second. Coach Cori Close praised her seniors, stating that if any of them played for a different team, they would have been All-Americans.

(UPDATED April 6, 2026 21:05 UTC)

UCLA celebrated a historic victory over South Carolina with a commanding score of 79 to 51, marking the largest margin of victory in an NCAA women's basketball championship game. The Bruins' defense was a standout, holding South Carolina to a season-worst shooting percentage of just 29 percent, while UCLA's Lauren Betts earned the title of most outstanding player with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Coach Cori Close highlighted the team's journey and preparation, expressing gratitude for the experience, saying, “It’s just really with great humility. Man, we are so fortunate to be experiencing that.”

(UPDATED April 6, 2026 19:17 UTC)

UCLA celebrated a historic moment on Thursday, as they secured their first NCAA women's basketball championship title with a victory over South Carolina. Following the win, Barack Obama sent a special message to Lauren Betts and the entire UCLA team, while coach Cori Close highlighted the crucial role of senior players and the team's preparation in achieving this success. Championship gear commemorating UCLA's national title is now available for fans eager to support their victorious team.

(UPDATED April 6, 2026 17:11 UTC)

UCLA finished the season at No. 1 in the Associated Press women's basketball Top 25 on Friday, marking a historic achievement as it's the first time the school has ended the season as the top choice. The Bruins were a unanimous selection from the 31-member national media panel, with the Gamecocks coming in second, followed by UConn and Texas in third and fourth place, respectively. Coach Cori Close praised her six seniors, stating that any of them would have been an All-American first team player if they were on a different team.

(UPDATED April 6, 2026 15:11 UTC)

UCLA secured their first NCAA title in women's basketball history on Thursday, thanks in part to a unique strategy that relied solely on senior players throughout the tournament. Lauren Betts, who recently opened up about her struggles with depression, received praise from teammate Raven Johnson for her resilience during the national championship game. Betts's journey highlights the challenges faced by athletes, underscoring the importance of mental health in sports.

(UPDATED April 6, 2026 09:16 UTC)

UCLA celebrated a remarkable championship victory, with senior center Lauren Betts sharing her relief by saying, “I just never wanted to feel that way ever again,” while guard Kiki Rice highlighted the team's resilience and intensity. The Bruins' defense was a standout, holding South Carolina to just 18 for 62 shooting, and they ended the third quarter with a commanding 30-point lead, the largest ever in an NCAA championship game. Their strategy of minimizing turnovers played a crucial role in this dominant performance, which was described as a "full-blown party" by the game's conclusion.

(UPDATED April 6, 2026 05:39 UTC)

UCLA has clinched their first NCAA women's basketball championship title with a commanding 79-51 victory over South Carolina, marking the largest margin of victory in the tournament's history. The Bruins' defense was exceptional, holding South Carolina to a season-worst shooting percentage of just 29 percent, while Kiki Rice contributed significantly with 10 points, six rebounds, and five assists. A pivotal moment in the game came during the third quarter when UCLA executed a 25-9 scoring run, which included a remarkable 13-0 stretch.

(UPDATED April 6, 2026 03:56 UTC)

UCLA claimed the NCAA women's basketball national championship on Thursday, defeating South Carolina with a commanding score of 79 to 51, and Lauren Betts was named the tournament's most outstanding player after scoring 14 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in the final. The Bruins showcased their dominance, leading by 30 points at the end of the third quarter and holding South Carolina to just 25.7% shooting in the first half. Betts, who opened up about her struggles with depression before the championship, was determined to avoid the feeling of losing again after UCLA's semifinal defeat to Connecticut the previous year.