(Phoenix, AZ) And then there were two. The climax and culmination of a long 2025-26 season came down to this game between the UCLA Bruins and the South Carolina Gamecocks.
An estimated 8.6 million viewers watched last year’s game. Phoenix laid out the red carpet for this event as did Glendale in 2024 for the Men’s Final Four. Nothing but positive vibes coming from the fan bases of all four schools.
UCLA after an ugly win over Texas looked to play much better offensively. This is their first Final Four and Championship Game in school history. The senior laden team has been dominate throughout the season and won the B1G with an 18-0 record and 36-1 overall.
South Carolina upset undefeated UConn on Friday night to reach the Championship Game 62-48 in a very physical and tight game until the final 3 minutes. Coach Dawn Staley wanted the crown to come back to Columbia.
First Quarter
UCLA won the tip and scored quickly to start the game. The Gamecocks answered as they got under way.
Charisse Leger-Walker hit a jumper and Lauren Betts followed with a layup to get the Bruin offense going. UCLA used their height advantage inside and transition to take a 13-4 lead midway through the first quarter.
At the media timeout, South Carolina was 2-10 from the field and the Bruins were 5-8 wiht 10 of their 13 points in the paint.
Agot Meeker hit a three pointer to get USC back in the game 13-10, but Leger-Walker answered at the other end.
After both teams had their runs in the quarter, the Bruins hit the last five points to take a 21-10 lead that was highlighted by Kiki Rice’e three ball before the buzzer.
Photo – Catherine Wong/602 Sports Talk
Second Quarter
Even with the height advantage, UCLA showed they could hit the long range shorts as Gianna Kneepkens canned one to give the Bruins 26-12 lead to start the second quarter.
South Carolina still had difficulties from the field coupled with a strong Bruin defemse were shooting 24% with just under four minutes to go till the half. With that the Gamecocks ratcheted up their defense pressing in the back court and forcing steals.Ta’niya Latson stole a pass off the trap her teammates set for an uncontested layup and cut the lead to 32-21, forcing a UCLA timeout with 2:48 left.
The Bruins had 6 turnovers, most as a result of the backcourt pressure by USC.
The ladies from Westwood were better attuned to playing in the open court and keeping the Gamecocks on their heels as they hit the locker room with a 36-23 lead.
Halftime
The Bruins created their lead from 43% (15-35) from the field and defensively slowing the high powered South Carolina offense to 9-35 (26%).
Neither team shot especially well from beyond arc with South Carolina at 1-8 (13%) and the Bruins after some early success at 3-8 (38%).
UCLA owned the glass with a 29-17 advantage and also had 11 assists.
Photo – Catherine Wong/602 Sports Talk
Third Quarter
The Bruins came out like a house on fire from both inside and outside and South Carolina had no answer.
Still fighting their shooting woes, the Gamecocks were still miserable from the field at 26% as UCLA gave them only one look on offense at the basket and increased their rebounding lead by plus 13 boards 40-27.
There was no USC run to get back into the contest, only Bruin dominance on both ends of the court. UCLA had never trailed and took them being 4.5 point underdogs personally.
Outside of Tessa Johnson’s 12 points, the Gamecocks next scorer Makeer had 5 points.
Phioto – Catherine Wong/602 Sports Talk
Fourth Quarter
For all intents and purposes, the game was won in the third quarter where UCLA outscored the Gamecocks by 16 points, which was the largest scoring margin in a title game history and were behind 61-32. South Carolina was held to 9 points for the quarter. That had happened to Texas on Friday when the Longhorns only scored 6 points against the UCLA defense.
South Carolina continued to miss shots and the crowd was even anticipated some type of Gamecock run or comeback.
The score got to 65-32 more than doubling USC’s scoring output at the 8:26 mark of the quarter.
The fourth quarter the Gamecocks actually outscored UCLA 19-18, but the game was already a forgone conclusion.
Even though UCLA had racked up 14 turnovers in the game, Coach Dawn Staley’s team should only muster 10 points off the miscues.
FINAL SCORE: UCLA 79 SOUTH CAROLINA 51
Wrap Up
Jaquez finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds along with Betts with 14 points and 11 rebounds for a twin double-double.
The Bruins shot 43% for the game but also 42% from three point land which picked up drastically in the second half.
South Carolina could only hit 18 baskets out of 62 attempts and 2-15 on three point attempts. Other than being tied 2-2 to start the game, the Gamecocks never lead and were really never a threat.
So in there first trip to the Final Four, UCLA completed an unbelievable season and gave Cori Close the title shes been chasing for her career.
Lauren Betts was named the Tournament’s Most Valuable Player and four Bruins made the All Tournament Team.
Today’s attendance was 15,856 in a packed Mortgage Matchup Center. Next year, the Final Four will be held in Columbus Ohio at Nationwide Arena April 2nd and 4th, 2027.
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