UCLA Storms Past South Carolina to Claim Its 1st NCAA Women’s Basketball Title

UCLA players celebrate after defeating South Carolina in the women's National Championship Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament game in Phoenix on April 5, 2026. Rick Scuteri/AP Photo

PHOENIX—It’s mission accomplished for UCLA.

Gabriela Jaquez, Lauren Betts and the rest of the UCLA seniors secured the first NCAA women’s basketball national championship in school history—a goal that was set after losing in the first Final Four last season.