UCLA Cruises Past South Carolina 79-51, Cori Close Wins First NCAA Title

UCLA clinched its first NCAA women's basketball championship with a dominant 79-51 victory over South Carolina.

“Dawn Staley Praises UCLA HC Cori Close After South Carolina's NCAA Title Game Loss South Carolina women's basketball coach Dawn Staley had high praise for UCLA's Cori Close shortly after conceding one of the largest blowout losses in NCAA women's championship game history to Close and the Bruins”

Bleacher Report

The Bruins led wire-to-wire and sealed the 28-point thrashing with a surge in the second quarter.

Bleacher Report

Gabriela Jaquez led the way with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists.

The victory marked UCLA as the eighth team in 30 years to win their first women's title.

Cori Close became the longest-tenured coach to win a first championship.

Jaquez's performance drew praise from WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark.

Jaquez joined elite company with a 20-10-5 stat line in a national championship.

ESPN

She is projected as a first-round pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft.

Jaquez is the sister of Jaime Jaquez Jr. of the Miami Heat.

Staley handled the defeat with grace, offering effusive praise for Cori Close.

“- NCAAWho is Gabriela Jaquez”

MARCA

She acknowledged Close's 15-year journey to a first championship.

The Postgame embrace was a stark contrast to Staley's clash with Auriemma.

The Bruins pulled out to a 10-point lead and never trailed.

UCLA's 28-point win was the third-largest margin in championship history.

Newsweek

Close captured her first national title in her 15th season.