UCLA claims its 1st NCAA women's basketball title : NPR
NPR • • general
Key Points:
- UCLA won its first NCAA women's basketball national championship in school history by defeating South Carolina 79-51 in the title game, led by seniors Gabriela Jaquez and Lauren Betts.
- UCLA finished the season with a 37-1 record, with their only loss coming in November; Betts was named Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four.
- South Carolina, the 2024 champions, struggled offensively in the final, shooting just 17% in the first quarter and scoring a season-low 51 points.
- UCLA coach Cori Close, a longtime mentor of legendary coach John Wooden, emphasized the team's character and determination as key factors in their championship success.
- South Carolina aimed for a fourth title in five seasons but was outmatched by UCLA's strong defense and efficient offense, marking a disappointing end to their season.
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