2026 NCAA D1 Women’s Basketball: UCLA Bruins Defeat USC Gamecocks
Summer Fusco '28
Senior Staff Writer
The NCAA D1 Women’s Basketball Tournament concluded on Sunday, April 5 in the championship with a blowout victory to UCLA over the University of South Carolina at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona. The final score of 79-51marked UCLA’s first ever championship title. A shutout by the Bruins with a dominant final performance has become one of the largest blowouts in women’s basketball championship game history.
After having a successful season, holding the number one seed and a 37-1 record, they were able to pull off the win. According to ESPN,“They did it the same way they have won all season -- with a dominating inside presence, an unselfish offensive approach and a suffocating defense that handed the Gamecocks their second-worst loss in NCAA tournament history.”
As for the USC Gamecocks, this championship marked their second back to back championship loss. The Gamecocks held a season record of 36-4, another overall successful season for the girls. According to MPR News, “South Carolina avoided the most lopsided loss in championship history of 33 points, set in 2013 when UConn defeated Louisville.”
Looking forward, both the UCLA Bruins and the USC Gamecocks will be considered for strong contenders in the 2027 tournament.
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