UCLA Wins Women's Basketball National Championship

Bruins defeat South Carolina 79-51 in dominant title game performance

Apr. 6, 2026 at 11:20am

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The UCLA Bruins won their first-ever NCAA women's basketball national championship, defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks 79-51 in the title game. The 28-point margin of victory was the third-largest in a Division I women's championship final. UCLA center Lauren Betts was named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player.

Why it matters

This championship marks the first national title for a Big Ten women's basketball team since Purdue won in 1999. The dominant performance by UCLA also showcases the continued growth and competitiveness of the women's game at the highest levels.

The details

The Bruins capped off a near-perfect 37-1 season with the convincing victory over South Carolina. UCLA was led by Duluth native Gianna Kneepkens, who scored 15 points in the championship game. South Carolina guard Tessa Johnson of Albertville scored a team-high 14 points in the losing effort.

  • The NCAA Women's Basketball Championship game was played on Sunday, April 6, 2026.

The players

Lauren Betts

The UCLA center was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Final Four.

Gianna Kneepkens

The Duluth native scored 15 points for the victorious UCLA Bruins in the national championship game.

Tessa Johnson

The Albertville native scored a team-high 14 points for the South Carolina Gamecocks in the title game loss.

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What they’re saying

“This championship marks the culmination of our team's hard work and dedication throughout the season. I'm so proud of how we came together and performed on the biggest stage.”

— Lauren Betts, UCLA Center

What’s next

The UCLA Bruins will look to defend their national title next season, while South Carolina will aim to bounce back and make another deep tournament run.

The takeaway

UCLA's dominant victory showcases the continued growth and competitiveness of women's college basketball, with the Bruins becoming the first Big Ten team to win the national championship since 1999.