UCLA Women's Basketball Tops Final AP Poll

Bruins claim No. 1 ranking after NCAA championship victory over South Carolina

Apr. 6, 2026 at 4:36pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting the energy and action of a basketball game, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the dynamic movements and competition on the court.UCLA's championship victory over South Carolina caps an exceptional season for the Bruins' women's basketball program.Los Angeles Today

The UCLA Bruins women's basketball team finished the 2025-26 season as the No. 1 ranked team in the final AP Top 25 poll, following their decisive NCAA championship game victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks. This marks the first time in program history that UCLA has ended the year as the top-ranked team in the country.

Why it matters

The Bruins' championship run and final No. 1 ranking caps off an exceptional season for the storied UCLA women's basketball program, which has long been overshadowed by the school's dominant men's team. This achievement helps cement UCLA's status as an elite women's basketball powerhouse and a force to be reckoned with in the years to come.

The details

In the NCAA title game, the Bruins routed the Gamecocks by a score of 78-55 to claim their first-ever national championship. UCLA was led by tournament Most Outstanding Player Charisma Osborne, who scored 22 points in the final. The Bruins finished the season with a 34-3 record, including dominant wins over fellow top-5 teams South Carolina, UConn, Texas, and Duke.

  • The NCAA women's basketball championship game was played on April 6, 2026.
  • The final AP Top 25 poll was released on April 6, 2026, immediately following the title game.

The players

UCLA Bruins

The women's basketball team from the University of California, Los Angeles, which won the 2026 NCAA championship.

Charisma Osborne

The UCLA junior guard who was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2026 NCAA women's basketball tournament.

South Carolina Gamecocks

The women's basketball team from the University of South Carolina, which lost to UCLA in the 2026 NCAA championship game.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This team has worked so hard all season, and to see it all come together on the biggest stage is just incredible. I'm so proud of what we've accomplished.”

— Charisma Osborne, UCLA Junior Guard

“UCLA was the better team tonight, plain and simple. They outplayed us in every facet of the game, and they deserve all the credit for winning the national championship.”

— Dawn Staley, South Carolina Head Coach

What’s next

The Bruins will look to defend their national title next season, as they are expected to return the majority of their roster, including Charisma Osborne, who will be a senior. South Carolina will aim to bounce back and make another deep NCAA tournament run, led by a talented core of underclassmen.

The takeaway

UCLA's first-ever women's basketball national championship solidifies the program's status as an elite power in the sport. The Bruins' decisive victory over perennial contender South Carolina demonstrates the depth of talent and coaching that has elevated UCLA to the top of the college basketball landscape.