Summary
On April 5, 2026, the UCLA Bruins defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks 79-51 in the NCAA women's basketball national championship game, marking UCLA's first-ever title. South Carolina's coach, Dawn Staley, praised UCLA's coach Cori Close for her contributions to the sport despite her team's loss. Staley acknowledged the challenge of competing against strong teams like UCLA and emphasized the need for continued effort and perseverance.
Key Facts
- The Gamecocks lost to the Bruins 79-51 in the 2026 NCAA women's basketball championship.
- The loss marked the second consecutive defeat in the championship game for South Carolina.
- UCLA secured its first NCAA national championship in women's basketball.
- Coach Dawn Staley commended UCLA's coach Cori Close for her dedication to the sport.
- South Carolina has appeared in five national championship games since 2017, the most in that period.
- Under Staley, South Carolina has won three national titles (2017, 2022, 2024).
- Staley emphasized the importance of resilience and hard work in reaching future championships.
