Comply with alongside for reside updates of the NCAA Ladies’s Nationwide Championship conflict in Phoenix between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the UCLA Bruins.
Ultimately, solely two groups remained standing.
The 2026 NCAA Ladies’s nationwide championship recreation pits a showdown between No. 1 South Carolina Gamecocks and No. 1 UCLA Bruins. The show of high seeds defines this matchup as Daybreak Staley is in search of her fourth championship with the Gamecocks and third in 5 years.
Since UCLA’s NCAA arrival in 1982, the Bruins will play of their first-ever championship recreation. Led by Lauren Betts and head coach Cori Shut, the Bruins search to carry a trophy to the Golden State.
March Insanity Protection: South Carolina vs. UCLA Preview | South Carolina UPSETS UConn | Texas vs. UCLA Remaining 4 Preview | UConn vs. South Carolina Remaining 4 Preview | Fort 1 Area Preview | Fort 3 Area Preview | Sacramento Area 2 Preview | Sacramento Area 4 Preview
Extra NCAA: Audi Crooks Enters Switch Portal | One other Double Remaining For UConn? | Prime NCAA Upset of All-Time | Azzi Fudd Indicators with Jordan Model
South Carolina’s Protection Is the Actual Deal
Sunday’s marquee matchup between the Gamecocks and Bruins is the primary this season, and sixth general. South Carolina leads the collection 4-1 underneath Staley, although UCLA trounced the Gamecocks 77-62 in November 2024. The final time each groups confronted off was within the 2023 Candy 16. Underneath the Kamilla Cardoso and Aliyah Boston period, South Carolina routed UCLA 59-43, however went on to lose towards Caitlin Clark and Iowa within the Remaining 4.
At present is the battle of two elite defenses. Raven Johnson and the Gamecocks shocked No. 1 UConn Huskies 62-48. In a dominant efficiency, South Carolina shut down UConn’s offense totally, forcing 10 turnovers. Not solely did sharpshooter Azzi Fudd shoot 3-of-15 from the sphere, however Nationwide Participant of the 12 months, Sarah Robust, shot 4-of-16 for 12 factors. Plus, Raven took it upon herself to protect the 6’2″ Robust.
Typically the field rating doesn’t inform the entire story, and I believe that’s the case with Raven Johnson immediately
Whereas she solely has 2 factors to this point, she’s performed super protection all recreation
And that’s what winners do: make an impression while not having to attain https://t.co/zWdJciedTh pic.twitter.com/2qC7rJ0JPc
— Level Made Joshua (@pointmadejosh) April 4, 2026
The Gamecocks not solely snapped UConn’s 54 recreation win streak, however additionally they locked down passing lanes and offensive actions. A drama-filled night, the sport’s conclusion featured a heated trade between Staley and Geno Auriemma. From Robust’s ripped jersey to halftime rants, South Carolina left UConn in disarray.
Florida State switch Ta’Niya Latson was the hero, main the Gamecocks with 16 factors. Becoming a member of her in double figures have been Joyce Edwards, who had a stellar efficiency with 11 factors, 8 rebounds, and three steals, and Tessa Johnson (10 factors). Maybe South Carolina’s hidden ace was Agot Makeer, who contributed 14 factors off the bench.
UCLA In search of Its First Championship
UCLA avenged itself towards the Texas Longhorns and got here out victorious 51-44 within the Remaining 4. There is a cause why Shut made the case that UCLA was the No. 1 general seed over UConn. With a 36-1 document, the Bruins took care of Cal Baptist, Oklahoma State, Minnesota, and Duke.
Going through Madison Booker and firm posed a problem, however the Bruins didn’t waver defensively. UCLA’s stifling protection held Booker to 3-of-23 taking pictures from the sphere and Texas to 44 factors general. Sure, you learn that accurately, 44 factors.
The quantity of historical past Cori Shut has made at UCLA is ASTRONOMICAL.
And LOOK on the emotion within the second because the clock hits zero, and Shut leads the Bruins to the NCAA Nationwide Title Sport for the FIRST time ever.
Simply unimaginable. pic.twitter.com/MqJYDYcKl6
— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) April 4, 2026
Led by Betts‘ 16-point, 11-rebound outing, Gianna Kneepkens, Gabriela Jaquez, and Kiki Rice scored in double figures every. Defensively, UCLA held Texas to 20-of-65 (31%) from the sphere and 2-of-9 (22%) from three.
It is an outdated story that protection wins championships, and this must be a low-scoring affair between two elite packages. Whereas I am not satisfied this recreation will probably be an offensive exhibiting, it is going to come right down to who can lock down defensively and constantly.
FINAL: UCLA 79, South Carolina 51Most Excellent Participant: Lauren Betts
UCLA Bruins head coach Cori Shut wasn’t unsuitable when she mentioned the crew’s arduous work and selflessness led them so far. UCLA defeats South Carolina to win its first-ever NCAA championship. Not solely was this a win, however it was an announcement win. This crew might have dismantled, however as a substitute, the seniors return. Named Most Excellent Participant is senior Lauren Betts, who wins a title alongside her sister, Sienna Betts.
What a senior sendoff for UCLA.
„I used to be placed on this earth to not rating factors, however to assist individuals.“—Lauren Betts after profitable MOP.
This crew is a lot greater than basketball, however we’ve got to debate what we simply witnessed. That was among the best performances I’ve seen from UCLA. From stellar protection, to ball motion, to hitting their photographs—the Bruins shot an environment friendly 43% from the sphere, and 42% from downtown.
Lauren Betts tallied 14 factors and 11 rebounds, however it was a real all-around effort. Shut dug into her bench early, and Angela Dugalić was the true X-factor off the bench. As I discussed beforehand, this crew has loads of weapons, and so they utterly disrupted South Carolina’s defensive scheme.
The Gamecocks elevated their defensive stress and moved to a zone protection. Nonetheless, there was actually no stopping UCLA. Once they have been doubled, they kicked out. A number of gamers executed high-low performs, and the drive and kicked all night time. All 5 starters completed with factors in double figures.
Once I discuss concerning the manufacturing, the seniors dominated, and the Bruins by no means trailed. And it wasn’t about simply factors—each participant impacted the field rating in a number of methods.
Gianna Kneepkens completed with 15 factors and 4 assists. Gabriela Jaquez actually had the sport of her life with 21 factors, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and one steal. Rounding out the beginning 5 have been Kiki Rice (10 factors, six rebounds, 5 assists, three steals) and Charlisse Leger-Walker (10 factors, 4 rebounds, two assists, one block). Even Sienna Betts earned seven minutes, however had a number of essential rebounds (4), particularly on the offensive finish.
Ultimately, UCLA got here locked in and hardly let South Carolina acquire any momentum on offense. Defensively, UCLA held the Gamecocks to 29% from the sphere, and simply 2-of-15 (13%) from three. Though South Carolina missed some open photographs and layups, the Bruins‘ protection was stifling.
Remaining Scoring Leaders
UCLA (79)
POINTS: Gabriela Jaquez (21)ASSISTS: Gabriela Jaquez (5)REBOUNDS: Lauren Betts (11)STEALS: Kiki Rice (3)BLOCKS: Lauren Betts (2)
South Carolina (51)
POINTS: Tessa Johnson (14)ASSISTS: Joyce Edwards (3)REBOUNDS: Joyce Edwards (11)STEALS: Joyce Edwards (1), Madina Okot (1), Ta’Niya Latson (1), Raven Johnson (1), Alicia Tournebize (1), Agot Makeer (1)BLOCKS: Maryam Dauda (2)
Fourth Quarter:
9:20—Kneepkens commits a foul
9:08—Jaquez will get the steal from Tessa Johnson and takes it to the basket for a layup. That is 16 factors from her (UCLA 63–32)
8:31—Tournebize with the massive block on Dugalić, UCLA as soon as once more will get one other offensive rebound. Foul on Raven Johnson, and Kneepkens places up the basket. She will get an and-one alternative and makes 2-2 free throws (UCLA 65–32)
8:16—Madina Okot scores a much-needed bucket adopted by an offensive rebound. She is fouled by Rice and heads to the free-throw line. Okot misses the free throw (UCLA 65, 34)
7:54—Rice will get a left-hand layup and cuts to the basket on the inbound. She now has 10 factors (UCLA 67–34)
7:35—Good end by Edwards, who lastly will get one thing going for South Carolina with a layup (UCLA 67–36)
7:05—SC will get an offensive board, and Tessa Johnson works her approach across the display for a mid-range shot. She now has 14 factors (UCLA 67–38)
6:38—Edwards will get the steal for South Carolina, and there have been a lot of turnovers by each groups within the final couple of minutes. Sadly, the Gamecocks cannot capitalize as Latson turns it over.
6:31—Timeout, SC
6:05—UCLA continues to play inside-out basketball. This time, Kneepkens drills one other three. UCLA ball motion continues (UCLA 70–38)
5:50—Joyce Edwards finds the layup (UCLA 72–40). The Gamecocks now discover themselves down by 30 factors.
5:17—Raven Johnson makes the free throw and can try for South Carolina (UCLA 72–41)
4:56–Jaquez continues her scorching streak with a drive layup (UCLA 74–41)
4:35—The following possession, Lauren Betts scores and makes a driving layup. That is back-to-back possessions with buckets (76–41)
4:16—Makeer continues her unimaginable season with SC, and makes a mid-range to place the Gamecocks again on the board (76-43). She is fouled by Kiki Rice and heads to the free-throw line. Makeer makes 2-2 free throws. Lauren Betts checks out of the sport( UCLA 76–45)
2:55—She does it once more, Jaquez drills a 25-foot 3-pointer. UCLA is rolling and continues its stellar taking pictures. Jaquez has a second with head coach Cori Shut (UCLA 79–45). She has 21 factors within the matchup.
2:42—Maddy McDaniel is fouled and makes the free throw (UCLA 79–46)
2:15—Makeer is fouled by Lena Bilic. She makes each free throws (UCLA 79–48)
1:05—Maryam Dauda drills the three (UCLA is 79–51).
South Carolina: FG: 29% | 3PT 13% | 18-62 FG | 2-15 3PT | 14 TO
UCLA: FG 43% | 3PT 42% | 30-69 FG | 8-19 3PT | 13 TO
Remaining Rating: UCLA 79, South Carolina 51
Third Quarter:
9:45—South Carolina misses, however will get the offensive board, and Okot places it in (UCLA 36–25)
9:23—Lauren Betts scores a simple layup (UCLA 38–25), high-low motion
8:48—Okot picks up her third private foul. SC goes small with the lineup.
8:37—Jaquez will get the offensive rebound and places up the shot herself inside (UCLA 40–25)
7:45—All of it begins with Kiki Rice steal, however UCLA is firing on all cylinders, Walker drains one other nook three (UCLA 43–25)
7:33—Foul on Tessa Johnson
7:05—Lauren Betts will get the offensive rebound, was getting doubled, and kicked out. South Carolina’s Latson fouls. Dugalić heads to the road and makes 1-2 free throws (UCLA 44-25)
6:51—Maddy McDaniel drives to the basket and is fouled by Kiki Rice. She heads to the road and makes free throws (UCLA 44–26)
6:04—excessive to low, Betts will get the bucket inside over Edwards. UCLA is benefiting from the small lineup (UCLA 46–26)
5:44—Lauren Betts will get the block on Latson. Rice makes a landing cross to Jaquez in transition, who scores a layup. The lead is prolonged to (UCLA 48–26)
5:41—Timeout taken, SC
5:30—Makeer will get one thing going for SC with the short-range shot (UCLA 48–28)
4:52—Timeout
4:44—Walker steps out of bounds, UCLA turnover
4:29—Tessa Johnson will get separation and hits a tricky mid-range over Betts (UCLA 48–30)
4:18—Raven Johnson hustles and will get the steal. Very on model for her.
3:17—Jaquez will get the help from Betts after being double-teamed, and hits the three on the weak facet (UCLA 51–30)
3:01—Fourth private foul on Dugalić
2:45—Kiki Rice fouled by Tournebize. She makes 1-2 free throws (UCLA 52–30)
2:37—Walker will get the block as South Carolina will get the unfastened ball from Lauren Betts. They cease the Gamecocks on the quick break.
2:09—UCLA continues to capitalize on South Carolina’s misses. Kneepkens will get the three to empty after Sienna Betts will get the offensive rebounds (UCLA 55–30).
1:53—Foul on Joyce Edwards
1:50—Foul on Agot Makeer. UCLA is within the bonus, and Kiki Rice heads to the free-throw line. She makes 2-2 (UCLA 57–30). Ends to result in 27 factors.
1:28—Amanda Muse will get the steal, UCLA continues to point out elite defensive prowess.
0:44—UCLA will get one other second-chance alternative. This time, Walker drives in and lays it within the paint (UCLA 59–30). Consequently, South Carolina turns it over.
0:29–UCLA timeout.
0:26—Foul on Alicia Tournebize. Lauren Betts heads to the road since UCLA is within the bonus. She makes 1-2 free throws (UCLA 60-30). It’s a lane violation by South Carolina, so Betts redoes the shot and makes it. 13-0 UCLA run. (UCLA 61-30). Outscoring SC 25-7 within the third quarter.
0:00—Private foul on Lena Bilic. Joyce Edwards heads to the free throw line for 2 photographs. She makes each of them. (UCLA 61–32)
Finish of the third: UCLA 61, South Carolina 32.
South Carolina: FG: 24% | 3PT 9% | 12-49 FG | 1-11 3PT | 10 TO
UCLA: FG 43% | 3PT 35% | 23-53 FG | 6-17 3PT | 8 TO
Halftime Leaders
South Carolina
POINTS: Tessa Johnson (10)ASSISTS: Joyce Edwards (2)REBOUNDS: Joyce Edwards (6)STEALS: Madina Okot (1), Ta’Niya Latson (1)BLOCKS: Raven Johnson (1), Maryam Dauda (2)
UCLA
POINTS: Gianna Kneepkens (7) Gabriela Jaquez (7)ASSISTS: Gabriela Jaquez (3), Gianna Kneepkens (3), Angela Dugalić (3)REBOUNDS: Lauren Betts (7)STEALS: Kiki Rice (1), Angela Dugalić (1)BLOCKS: Angela Dugalić (1)
Second Quarter:
9:27—Jaquez goes high-low once more. Dugalić inside with a two-pointer towards a small South Carolina lineup (UCLA 23–12)
9:12—Tessa Johnson ends UCLA’s run with a 14-foot bounce shot (UCLA 25–12)
8:41—Tessa Johnson hits one other shot! This time getting the and-one (UCLA 26–15). Lauren Betts enters the sport as soon as once more.
8:23 —Jaquez as soon as once more with a layup bucket. UCLA continues to dominate inside. (UCLA 28–15)
7:33—UCLA continues its scorching streak, and Kneepkens this time with the step-back jumper. South Carolina continues to battle within the area, transferring to an even bigger lineup. (UCLA 30–15)
6:29—Betts has an opportunity with the mismatch to attain inside, however she travels, UCLA turnover.
6:09—Raven Johnson hits a mid-range shot over Betts. It is a large shot for the Gamecocks as they beforehand missed 13-of-15 area objectives. (UCLA 30–17).
4:52—Kiki Rice drives, will get the double, kicks out, shoots and misses. Lauren Betts makes a protracted two to increase the lead. (UCLA 32–17). 8-2 benefit in second-chance factors for UCLA. 126 straight factors have been scored by UCLA seniors.
4:34— Latson is fouled by Dugalić. Timeout is taken.
4:30—Edwards works inside and makes a tricky mid-range shot within the paint (UCLA 32–19). After this, South Carolina strikes to a 2-3 zone on protection. Shot clock violation by UCLA.
3:30—Latson has a large open lane however missed the layup. The ball is out on South Carolina.
3:19—10-second violation by UCLA. South Carolina is making use of stress, particularly on full-court protection.
2:48—Latson with the steal and the layup. She does not get the foul however will get South Carolina again in a groove (UCLA 32–21). South Carolina cuts the deficit to 11 factors.
2:48— A timeout is taken by UCLA. They’ve had three consecutive turnovers.
2:18—South Carolina continues to use defensive stress, one other miss from UCLA.
1:35—Jaquez misses, Betts will get the offensive board, and Kiki Rice finishes the basket inside. Nice ball motion by UCLA (UCLA 34–21)
1:21—Foul on Gianna Kneepkens
0:50—Kneepkens utilizing the display and drops in a fade two-pointer (UCLA 36–21)
0:37—Tessa Johnson delivers a much-needed mid-range bucket for South Carolina. (UCLA 36–23)
0:10—Foul on Dugalić
South Carolina: FG: 26% | 3PT 13% | 9-35 FG | 1-8 3PT | 2 TO
UCLA: FG 43% | 3PT 38% | 15-35 FG | 3-8 3PT | 6 TO
First Quarter:
09:43— Lauren Betts makes the 5-foot shot. South Carolina begins in man-to-man protection. (2–0 UCLA)
9:15–Madina Okot misses the three, South Carolina will get the offensive board, and Okot lays it in.
8:28—Charlisse Leger-Walker hits the 14-foot pullup (UCLA 4–2)
8:32—Okot will get her first private foul.
7:50— Jaquez to Betts high-low layin (UCLA 6–2). UCLA is exhibiting its versatility within the passing recreation.
7:29—Foul on Lauren Betts, Ta’Niya Latson makes two free throws (UCLA 6–4)
7:11—Jaquez places within the and-one. Grabs the offensive rebound and putback. Foul is on duadua. Jaquez will get to the road and makes it (UCLA 9–4)
5:39—Dugalić spin fade assists from Kneepkens (UCLA 11–4)
5:09—Jaquez pushes it in transition, goes in for a layup, however is fouled by Raven Johnson. Jaquez will get to the free-throw line. (UCLA 13–4). 7-0 run for the Bruins scored by seniors. South Carolina missed the final six photographs.
4:53—South Carolina’s Tessa Johnson goes for the and-one over Sienna Betts. Johnson will get to the free-throw line. She makes two to finish the 3-point play.
4:23—Agot Makeer comes off the bench and pulls up a 3-pointer (UCLA 13–10).
3:45—UCLA will get the offensive rebound, exhibiting good ball motion. Walker will get one other three within the nook (16-10 UCLA). Cori Shut goes to her bench early.
3:09— Private foul referred to as on Joyce Edwards of South Carolina.
2:14—UCLA turnover-back court docket violation.
2:06—Gabriela Jaquez picks up a private foul
1:34—Lauren Betts stays on the bench with a medical subject. Sienna Betts will get the offensive board, however cannot end. UCLA ball.
1:00—Latson performs nice protection on Kneepkens and will get the defensive board, however South Carolina cannot end on the opposite finish.
0:27—Dugalić works Raven Johnson within the paint and finishes with one other bucket. (UCLA 18–10)
0:02— What a end for the primary quarter. Kiki Rice drains a step-back three from a display to place the Bruins up 21-10. 8-0 run for UCLA.
South Carolina: FG: 17% | 3PT 20% | 3-18 FG | 1-5 3PT | 2 TO
UCLA: FG 44% | 3PT 50% | 8-18 FG | 2-4 3PT | 2 TO
Beginning Lineups
SOUTH CAROLINA: Raven Johnson | Ta’Niya Latson | Tessa Johnson | Joyce Edwards | Madina OkotUCLA: Kiki Rice | Charlisse Leger-Walker | Gabriela Jaquez | Gianna Kneepkens | Lauren Betts
OFFICIALS:
LINE: SC: -4.5O/U: 127.5
