Phoenix, AZ - April 04: UCLA Bruins head coach Cori Close lifts up the WBCA coaches trophy after defeating South Carolina Gamecocks 79-51 in the NCAA Women's Championship game at Mortgage Matchup Center on Saturday, April 4, 2026 in Phoenix, AZ. It was the UCLA women’s basketball team needing barely two hours to complete the struggles of 45 years, a stunningly swarming triumph unmatched in even the finest of Bruin athletic traditions. This was her 15th season as the Bruins’ boss, which previously made her the longest tenured coach without a national title. This was UCLA’s first finals appearance in the NCAA era, and they were trying to win their first title since Anne Meyers-Drysdale led the Bruins to an AIAW championship in 1978. At halftime UCLA led 36-23 and the game was essentially over.

Source: Los Angeles Times April 06, 2026 01:20 UTC