Phoenix, AZ—– The UCLA Bruins women’s basketball made program history Friday night, grinding out a 51-44 win over the Texas Longhorns women’s basketball to secure their first-ever trip to the NCAA national championship game.
The Bruins (36-1) leaned on defense and composure in a physical, low-scoring battle, holding Texas to a season-low 44 points while avenging their only loss of the season. The victory also extends UCLA’s remarkable run to 30 straight wins.
Leading the way was Lauren Betts, who delivered a dominant two-way performance with 16 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks. Her most crucial moment came in the final seconds, when she rejected a potential game-tying shot to preserve a slim lead. Betts’ presence in the paint anchored a Bruins defense that controlled the tempo throughout.
Kiki Rice added 11 points, including clutch free throws in the closing moments to seal the game. Gianna Kneepkens and Gabriela Jaquez each contributed 10 points, providing balanced scoring in a game where every possession mattered.
Texas struggled to find offensive rhythm against UCLA’s defense, shooting just over 30 percent from the field. Kyla Oldacre was the lone bright spot for the Longhorns, finishing with 11 points.
The game remained tight throughout. UCLA held a narrow 20-17 edge at halftime and entered the fourth quarter up 31-28. The Bruins created separation early in the final period with a quick 7-0 run, eventually building a double-digit lead. Texas responded with a late push, trimming the deficit to just three points in the final minute, but UCLA held steady at the free-throw line to close it out.
This breakthrough comes one year after UCLA’s Final Four exit and marks the program’s first appearance in the NCAA title game in the modern era. The Bruins last played for a national championship in 1978, prior to the NCAA sponsoring the tournament.
Now, UCLA will face the South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball on Sunday with a national title on the line, as two No. 1 seeds collide for the championship.
