The trophyCoach Close gets the wood-ware and holds it up high as even MORE confetti falls! Lauren Betts, who has struggled with depression in her life, is named the most outstanding player of the tournament.She’s emotional as she tells the crowd that she told her mother that she was put on this earth to do more than score points, but to use this platform to help lives.She’s an incredible story.And so are the Bruins, who put on a stunning, complete performance in their victory over South Carolina.From all of us here at The Guardian, thanks for following along with us.

Wherever you are, good morning, good afternoon and goodnight.Post-gameYou have to feel good for UCLA head coach Cori Close, who is speaking to ABC TV in the US.She hugs her mom and says it’s “beyond my wildest dreams…it’s all about the heart…I am just so confident in their character and that’s what determined the way they played today.”The band plays, the confetti falls.Jaquez is the star of this game – she was everywhere.

She says “she imagined this moment and I am just so so proud…oh my gosh, I’m just so happy,”And why not, she played the game of her life on the biggest stage,The UCLA Bruins have won their second national title and their first in the NCAA era! They dominate Dawn Staley and South Carolina in a stunning performance over one of the most prolific programs in collegiate sports,South Carolina 51-79 UCLA, 0:37 4th quarterFans on their feet in Phoenix with under a minute remaining,South Carolina 48-79 UCLA, 2:14 4th quarterThe UCLA seniors are coming off, one by one.

Kneepens leaves the floor.South Carolina 46-79 UCLA, 2:42 4th quarterUCLA seniors have scored the last 160 UCLA points – experience pays off.Actually, Jaquez drains a three, so make that 163.Timeout on the floor as hysteria breaks out amongst UCLA fans in Phoenix.This is Shangri-La for the Bruins.

South Carolina 43-76 UCLA, 3:46 4th quarterBetts finishes a fast break! She has 14 points and 11 rebounds in the biggest and last game of her UCLA career.South Carolina 41-72 UCLA, 5:18 4th quarterI know I’ve been alluding to this for some time, but it’s not often you see a superior basketball program, that’s engineered incredible results for some time, with an iconic coach, just get a complete ass kicking in a final.It just doesn’t happen.South Carolina 38-70 UCLA, 5:47 4th quarterKneepkens hits another three and for SC, it’s all over but the crying.South Carolina 38-67 UCLA, 6:47 4th quarterTessa Johnson hits from the free-throw line – she has 14 and has been the best Gamecock on the floor today.

South Carolina 36-67 UCLA, 7:33 4th quarterOkant, a rebound, and a put back, plus the foul by Rice,She misses the free-throw,Then Rice gets away underneath the basket and hits a layup,South Carolina 32-63 UCLA, 8:45 4th quarterBetts misses a turn around fade-away,Then Carolina turn it over – Jaquez finishes the break.

That’s 16 points, nine rebounds and five assists for Jaquez if you’re keeping score at home.South Carolina 32-61 UCLA, end of 3rd quarterEdwards is fouled after an offensive rebound and a put-back that missed the mark.She hits both shots and that will do it for the third quarter where SC were outscored 25-9.The jaw is on the floor over here folks.South Carolina 30-61 UCLA, 0:26 3rd quarterIf you’re a Gamecocks fan, or Dawn Staley, you have to be spinning right now, down 29 points as the third quarter winds down.

Betts is at the line after being fouled and hits both shots as UCLA have DOUBLED UP SC.Can you believe that?South Carolina 30-59 UCLA, 0:29 3rd quarterAnother SC turnover! Muse takes it away from Latson! Kneepkens for three, no good, but rebound UCLA.Now Leger-Walker has it down low and she lays it in! It’s an 11-0 run for the Bruins!South Carolina 30-55 UCLA, 1:50 3rd quarterTournabize misses a three, then Kneepkens comes back for the bruins and she’s able to hit from downtown!It’s all UCLA! Wow! What a display from the Bruins, who remember, came in as 3.5 point dogs.South Carolina 30-52 UCLA, 2:37 3rd quarterTournabize has a rebound for South Carolina, but then Rice strips her immediately and is fouled.

SC are over the limit, so Rice shoots free-throws, hitting one of two.SC looking dejected.South Carolina 30-51 UCLA, 3:01 3rd quarterNo! because Jaquez, who has scored or assisted on 24 of UCLA’s 51 points, drains a three!South Carolina 30-48 UCLA, 4:37 3rd quarterTessa Johsnon hits a 10 footer, then tie up a loose ball – Gamecocks ball.I ask again, is this a turning point?South Carolina 28-48 UCLA, 4:37 3rd quarterUCLA force SC into a five second violation under their own basket.Yikes.

South Carolina 28-48 UCLA, 4:52 3rd quarterWith 10 minute quarters, this game moves fast.SC need to turn this 180 degrees immediately if they’re going to have a chance.And the room for error is slim.Meeker hits a layup to start their comeback bud.South Carolina 26-48 UCLA, 5:41 3rd quarterMaddy McDaniel is fouled and heads to the line, hitting just one of two free-throws.

Then a missed shot by UCLA and Jaquez gets in there and ties it up the rebound.Hustle play, possession to UCLA.Then Betts catches an entry pass and lays it in.She’s dominating.Now Betts blocks Latson! UCLA are on a fast break and Jaquez, who is everywhere, is able to finish with a layup!This game has totally gotten away from Staley and South Carolina! Time out Gamecocks!South Carolina 25-44 UCLA, 6:51 3rd quarterLatson fouls Dugalic on a drive and she hits one of two free throws.

South Carolina 25-43 UCLA, 7:30 3rd quarterLeger-Walker drains a three from the far corner! UCLA are up 18!Jaquez, an offensive rebound and put back.There’s more second half points for UCLA as the first half begins.Highlights!Here’s a re-cap of the first half of the 2026 women’s NCAA basketball championship game.StatsSC are shooting 26 percent, and are just 1-8 from three.And UCLA are out rebounding SC 29-17 while dominating the scoring in the paint.

I think it’s fair to say that the Bruins are, maybe not dominating, but are on the precipice of that descriptor.SC scored 106 points in their first game of the NCAA tournament and in this game they’ve score 23 points at the half.South Carolina 23-36 UCLA, end of 2nd quarterJohnson responds for SC with a mid-range jumper.Then SC get a defensive stop.Five seconds to play, Johsnon looks for a shot, fires, but it’s too late! The half is over and UCLA lead by 13.

Who had that?Betts is talking to ABC TV, she said she doesn’t know what happened with her throat,She mentions that it’s really dry out in Phoenix, which is true, because, you know, it’s a desert,Betts declares herself healthy then takes off for the break,South Carolina 21-34 UCLA, 0:45 2nd quarterOkot misses a jumper, then Kneepkens hits for UCLA,Good response following the timeout for UCLA.

South Carolina 21-34 UCLA, 1:21 2nd quarterUCLA players spoke in the huddle about how to handle the SC press while trying to regroup and gather themselves.They’re still up 11, but their arrow is pointing down for the first time today.Now they have the ball following the timeout.The shot clock is winding down, and Dugalic has to force a shot – no good.Edwards comes back and misses a three for SC, then Rice has it for UCLA, the dribble drive and the layup for Kiki!South Carolina 21-32 UCLA, 2:48 2nd quarterNow SC force a 10-second violation, UCLA’s fifth turnover of the half.

They’ve certainly cut down v their game against Texas in the semis where they had 23 turnovers.But now UCLA turn it over again, thanks to furious SC pressure! Now Latson does hit her layup! UCLA call for time and here come the Gamecocks!South Carolina 19-32 UCLA, 3:24 2nd quarterLatson drives and has room but can’t finish! She was right there but could not convert the layup.UCLA are living right.South Carolina 19-32 UCLA, 3:52 2nd quarterEdwards is able to hit for SC, and then the Gamecocks cause a shot clock violation on defense.Is this a turning point?BettsShe was on the bench sayi9ng “something is stuck in my throat”.

She used an inhaler, came in, went back out, sat for several minutes, and now is back and looks OK, which is paramount for UCLA it goes without saying,South Carolina 17-32 UCLA, 4:34 2nd quarterBetts misses a turn-around jumper, followed by a Latson misfire on the other end: rebound UCLA,Now Betts on the other end, she hits from 19 feet out!Timeout on the floor, which is another term for a mandatory commercial break,UCLA have been steadied by eight offensive rebounds, many of which have been put right back in the hoop; second chance points have been a factor in Phoenix,South Carolina 17-30 UCLA, 5:49 2nd quarterRavens from mid-range from head on – big shot for SC as they try to steady the ship.

South Carolina 15-30 UCLA, 6:42 2nd quarterPretty shot from 10 feet out on the side by Kneepkens, then a missed shot by SC’s McDaniel and a rebound by Betts! All Bruins right now.South Carolina 15-28 UCLA, 7:49 2nd quarterUCLA keeps up the pressure on offense with a Jaquez layup.Meanwhile, more good news for UCLA, Betts is back and on the floor.South Carolina 15-26 UCLA, 8:26 2nd quarterJohnson takes it to the hole, hits a layup and is fouled! That’s SC basketball! Johnson converts the free throw as the lead is cut to 11.South Carolina 12-26 UCLA, 9:14 2nd quarterCoach Staley tells ABC network in the US:“I think we gotta play more inspired, We have to dictate a little bit more…it’s just really disciplined defense”Play restarts, UCLA take the ball up.

Jaquez feeds Dugalic who hits a layup extending UCLA’s lead.StatsThe big numbers are SC shooting 3-13 in the first quarter, while dominates the paint, 12 points to four.And Betts has only played six minutes.South Carolina 10-21 UCLA, end of 1st quarterDuglic hits a layup for UCLA, then Rice hits a three to beat the buzzer! UCLA are up 11 as the first quarter comes to a close, and that’s with Betts on the bench!It’s an 8-0 run to finish the frame by the Bruins.Wild!South Carolina 10-16 UCLA, 1:04 1st quarterMakeer fires from way downtown and it’s too strong.

Rebound UCLA, Rice has it, she shoots and it’s off the front rim.A lull in the scoring here as we approach one minute remaining in the first quarter.Meanwhile Betts is on the sideline and struggling.We’re not sure what’s happening there.That’s a big development.

South Carolina 10-16 UCLA, 2:06 1st quarterMadina Okot misses a shot for SC, but then UCLA turn it over, failing to build on their lead.South Carolina 10-16 UCLA, 2:46 1st quarterNow UCLA answer with a three from Leger Walker! The Bruins have the hot hands early on.South Carolina 10-13 UCLA, 3:52 1st quarterRice misses a shot, and there’s signs SC are settling – like this three pointer from the freshman Makeer, who is already scoring off the bench!South Carolina 6-13 UCLA, 4:54 1st quarterJaquez drives for UCLA and is bumped in the lane by Johnson.She’ll shoot two and hits two.Betts sits early while the going is good, giving her a quick breather, early on.

Now SC comes back and Tessa Jonson drives and with an outstretched hand, hits a badly needed layup for the Gamecocks.Timeout on the floor.It’s mostly UCLA early.South Carolina 4-9 UCLA, 5:14 1st quarterAfter Ta’Niya Latson hits a pair of free throws, Jaquez follows a miss with a rebound and a floater that falls, and she’s fouled!She drains the free throw and UCLA is up five early while SC continue to misfire on the other end, a 1-9 start from the floor.South Carolina 2-6 UCLA, 7:29 1st quarterCharlisse Leger-Walker drains from 15 feet out.

Then UCLA get a stop, come back down the floor, feed Betts down low and she hits, off the glass again! She’s shooting fish in a barrel.This is what the Bruins need to do to win.Betts wins the tip, comes down, gets the ball in the paint, back to the basket, turns, fires, and hits off the glass! Good start there!National AnthemIt’s being sung by Kahara Hodges, an alum Arizona State.She’s done it before, most notably at the 2024 men’s Final Four.It’s a slower rendition.

Serviceable, but not really my taste.Not that it was bad, but it did need a bit more pace.I’ll give it a 7/10.Now the lineups are being announced, which means tip-off is imminent.Your patience shall be rewarded