UCLA Women's Basketball Defeats USC, Clinches Perfect Conference Season

Bruins finish 18-0 in Big Ten, secure top seed in upcoming tournament

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The UCLA women's basketball team defeated their crosstown rival USC 73-50 on Sunday, capping off a perfect 18-0 conference regular season. Head coach Cori Close, along with players Gabriela Jaquez and Charlisse Leger-Walker, spoke to the media after the victory.

Why it matters

UCLA's dominant performance not only secured the Bruins the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Big Ten Tournament, but also all but guarantees them one of the top two seeds in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. This perfect conference season is a major accomplishment for the program.

The details

The Bruins cruised to a 23-point victory over USC, improving their overall record to 25-3 on the season. UCLA's stifling defense held the Trojans to just 50 points, while the Bruins' balanced scoring attack saw three players reach double figures.

  • The game was played on Sunday, March 2, 2026.
  • UCLA finished the Big Ten regular season with an 18-0 record.

The players

Cori Close

The head coach of the UCLA women's basketball team.

Gabriela Jaquez

A player on the UCLA women's basketball team.

Charlisse Leger-Walker

A player on the UCLA women's basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“We knew this was going to be a tough battle, but our team really came together and executed our game plan to perfection.”

— Cori Close, Head Coach (on3.com)

“This was a huge win for us, not just because it was against our rivals, but because it caps off an incredible regular season. We're excited to keep this momentum going into the postseason.”

— Gabriela Jaquez, Player (on3.com)

“The team really bought in to our defensive intensity tonight, and that set the tone for the entire game. We're proud of this accomplishment, but we know the real work is still ahead of us.”

— Charlisse Leger-Walker, Player (on3.com)

What’s next

The Bruins will be the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Big Ten Tournament, which begins on March 5th. They will then await their seeding and matchup for the NCAA Tournament, which starts on March 20th.

The takeaway

UCLA's perfect conference season is a testament to the program's sustained excellence under head coach Cori Close. The Bruins have established themselves as one of the top women's basketball teams in the country, and will be a force to be reckoned with in the postseason.