UCLA's Betts Blocks Texas to Reach First NCAA Title Game

Bruins center Lauren Betts' crucial block in final seconds secures 51-44 Final Four win over Longhorns.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 7:20am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the intense, high-energy moment of UCLA center Lauren Betts emphatically blocking a Texas player's shot attempt in the final seconds of their NCAA Final Four matchup, capturing the raw athleticism and competitive spirit of the game-changing play.UCLA's Lauren Betts delivers a game-saving block to propel the Bruins to their first NCAA women's basketball championship game.Los Angeles Today

UCLA center Lauren Betts made a game-saving block in the closing seconds to secure a 51-44 victory over Texas in the NCAA Women's Basketball Final Four semifinal. The win sends the Bruins to their first-ever NCAA national championship game, where they will face top-ranked South Carolina on Sunday.

Why it matters

Betts' clutch defensive play in the final moments preserved UCLA's narrow lead and punched the Bruins' ticket to the national title game, a historic first for the program. The victory also avenged UCLA's lone loss of the season to Texas back in November.

The details

With UCLA leading by just one possession late, Texas' Madison Booker drove to the basket looking to tie the game. But Betts came up with a massive rejection, swatting away Booker's shot attempt and securing the rebound to seal the win. Betts finished the game with 16 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks, overcoming a scary fall earlier in the contest that left her shaken up.

  • UCLA led by as many as 10 points in the fourth quarter.
  • Texas pieced together a 7-0 run to cut the deficit to one possession.
  • Betts' game-saving block came with 18.1 seconds remaining in the game.

The players

Lauren Betts

A senior center for UCLA who transferred from Stanford in 2023. She finished with 16 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks in the Final Four win.

Cori Close

The head coach of the UCLA women's basketball team, who led the Bruins to their first-ever NCAA championship game appearance.

Madison Booker

A Texas guard who was held to just 6 points on 3-of-23 shooting by the UCLA defense.

Rori Harmon

A Texas guard who scored 8 points on 4-of-11 shooting in the losing effort.

Vic Schaefer

The head coach of the Texas Longhorns women's basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“As soon as I saw (Booker) getting downhill, I'm like, all right, please block this, just don't let her score.”

— Lauren Betts, UCLA Center

“The love that we have for each other truly drives us to just compete so hard. Like, we want this so bad for each other.”

— Lauren Betts, UCLA Center

“UCLA has changed my life for the better. I've gained a certain level of confidence. I've done things that I never thought I'd be able to do my freshman year.”

— Lauren Betts, UCLA Center

What’s next

UCLA will face No. 1 South Carolina in the NCAA Women's Basketball National Championship game on Sunday, April 6, 2026.

The takeaway

Betts' clutch defensive play and the Bruins' gritty team effort have UCLA on the verge of its first-ever NCAA women's basketball title. The Bruins' remarkable season, which included avenging their lone loss, has them one win away from making history.