UCLA Women's Basketball Reaches First Ever Title Game

UCLA's women's basketball team just made history, and now they're one game away from making it unforgettable.

The Bruins advanced to their first-ever national championship game on Friday with a hard-fought 51-44 victory over Texas in Phoenix. It wasn't pretty, but it was enough to earn them a shot at the sport's ultimate prize.

Now comes the real challenge: facing South Carolina, the dynasty that's dominated women's college basketball for years. The Gamecocks are seeking their third consecutive title and fourth overall under coach Dawn Staley, who has set the standard for excellence in the sport.

"Dawn does such a great job," UCLA coach Cori Close said. "She's a standard bearer in our sport, but we also are an incredibly competitive, confident group."

UCLA's semifinal win required serious grit. The Bruins didn't score a single field goal in the final three minutes and managed just six points in the second quarter, but their defense held Texas to only 28 points through three quarters.

Close reminded her team that championship runs aren't always glamorous. After winning the Big Ten championship earlier this season, she warned them they'd need to grind out at least one tournament game with defense alone.

Why This Inspires

For senior guard Gabriella Jaquez, Sunday's championship game represents a perfect ending to her college journey. She first faced South Carolina as a freshman in a tough loss, then lost to them again in an NCAA Tournament matchup.

But in November 2024, UCLA finally beat the Gamecocks at home in what became the Bruins' statement game. That victory announced UCLA as a national contender, and now they have the chance to prove it on the biggest stage.

"It's kind of full circle playing South Carolina in the national championship game," Jaquez said. The senior knows exactly what's at stake and what it will take to finish the job.

The Bruins are borrowing their mantra from Los Angeles basketball royalty. "We keep saying the job's not finished," Jaquez said. One more win, and UCLA women's basketball will claim its first national title.