UCLA unstoppable, unmatched drive denies South Carolina and declare their first NCAA championship

By

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April 5, 2026

2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Champions — UCLA Women Bruins holding up the NCAA National Championship Trophy. Photo by Jason Purisima / fi360 News

Phoenix, AZ- “Delayed, but not denied” were sentiments expressed by South Carolina head Coach Dawn Staley to describe UCLA head coach Cori Close’s coaching career journey which could also sum up her team’s drive fueled off a disheartening Final Four loss to top it off this season with a dominant championship victory, 79-51 while leaving no doubts of determination as they danced their way into history as the 126th NCAA women’s champions on a 31 game win streak at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Easter Sunday.

“Today was just a fantastic display of our resilience and the intensity that we came out with just our will to win and we knew we had a feeling like this was our time,” senior guard, All-Tourney team KiKi Rice said. “And this was our year and you know we came out there this entire weekend and we would not be denied…”

UCLA scored on the opening drive after winning the tip and dragged out this lead in dramatic fashion for the rest of the game as SC was unable to detour or deny a road to victory.

UCLA Bruins win the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship. Photo by Jason Purisima / fi360 News

“We all just decided and I think that’s what made us so powerful this whole season when we decided we wanted to do something. We did it and I’m just so proud of coach Cori and the way that she responded as a leader from last year,” senior guard and All Tourney team Gabriela Jaques said. “I think we all responded really well…it just really started with coach Cori and the way that she wanted to make a change in our program and get us back here and get this result…I’ll always be thankful for her and her believing in me…. Yeah. Even if I’m late, I’m here.”

Lauren Betts achieved Most Outstanding Player with another career double double, 14 points and 11 boards, as immediately from the jump ball until she got subbed out the final minutes of the game, she disrupted the Gamecocks defense and offense with either demanding double and triple teams or forcing South Carolina to be distant shooters or deftly scorers.

“I think the confidence that we came out with, we just knew we were going to win because of all the prep and the work that we put in,” Betts said. “And, I think when we find a way to play together and play selflessly and just do what we do, like no one can stop us and you guys saw that.“

UCLA went up 21-10 in the first period like they were a team filled with players experienced on playing on this stage for a championship rather than actually having six seasoned seniors whom never played in a championship game yet demonstrated a hunger of a Bruin with an appetite to taste a Division I NCAA championship.

Despite SC settling down in the second quarter and finding a way to pressure UCLA that turned into a few more points on the board, the Bruins maintained connectivity to extend their lead to 15 before going into halftime with a 15-13 edge to lead by 13, 36-23.

“UCLA is a quality team with very experienced players who got a taste of being in the final four last year and you make adjustments,” coach Staley said. “You use that experience as a learning lesson and you come back sharper and you increase your chances of winning. And from last year to this year, they played determined last year, but they played more determined this year because they were so close and they’ve had the experience to do that and they took advantage of it.”

UCLA resume the second half like a reset of the first half replicating relentless energy demonstrated in their first period to start the third with even more dominance as they continued to out rebound and downright outplay South Carolina, pushing their lead up to 29 with a 25-9 edge to finish the quarter, 61-32.

The Women Bruins didn’t need a cheat code for this game as there weren’t many if any complaints of officiating or physicality and yet for a second straight game their opponents had no answer for 6’7” two-time All-American Lauren Betts whom Raven Johnson said “has improved from last season.”

“I do think that experience playing at the Final Four last year helped us just in our preparation from the spring to now,” Rice said. “We knew what to expect. We knew what it would take to win at that level. And having that experience just I feel like we were able to set our minds coming in to this tournament, coming into the final four like this is what it’s going to take to win it this time.”

UCLA Bruins Women’s Basketball team head coach Cori Close holds up the net after victory of the 2026 NCAA National Championship (Photo by Jason Purisima / fi360 News)

After coach Close desired a different display for their college women’s championship game than their low scoring semifinal game versus Texas to redeem with their teams fans’ and not have another rugby match, she led her team to double down on that desire including a delivery of a devastatingly double double, 21 points and 10 rebounds, from Jaquez, whom is the little sister of Miami Heat forward and Bruin alumni Jamie Jaquez.

“Just coming in our freshman [year] that was the plan to cut down nets. And I think we talked about it a lot,” Jaquez said. “And the fact that we got to win a national championship, wow, our senior year, like it really does mean everything. And I said it before, but I pictured this moment many times, being a national champion. And so to do it with this group, it just really means everything.”

UCLA finished with five players in double digits, including Jaquez and Betts double-doubles to go with three of the other six seniors. Gianna Kneepkens knocked down three triples in her final collegiate game for 15 points to go with a side of four dishes. Rice and Charisse Leger-Walker scored 10 apiece.

UCLA was equivalently effective on defense as their offense in this game similar to their semifinal game, putting clamps on another opponents’ top scorer after locking up Texas’ Madison Booker, this time the target was Joyce Edwards, whom had a tough day battling the Bruins “bigs,” scoring only 8 points, most of them coming when the game was out of reach though she still was able to snag 11 rebounds.

UCLA defense caused South Carolina to shoot below 30 percent from the field and just 13 percent from three while out rebounding them 49-37.

“I said, I wanted to find uncommon, courageous women that were willing to make uncommon choices that maybe possibly could yield an uncommon result. And today it did,” coach Close said.

UCLA ended the season 37-1 and will plan to start restocking soon their roster after losing half the roster with six Seniors perhaps moving on to the WNBA more than likely preparing for its upcoming draft on April 13. For now the Bruins will bask in their bountiful season as first NCAA women’s NCAA title, following their 1978 AIAW National Championship.

Bruins Make History Again, Sweep USC as Win Streak Hits 23 on Easter Sunday

By

Eric Brown Jr

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April 5, 2026

USC Trojans vs. UCLA Bruins — LOS ANGELES, CA - April 5: Roch Cholowsky #1 of the UCLA Bruins celebrates after advancing to second base in the sixth inning during a game between USC Trojans and UCLA Bruins at Jackie Robinson Stadium on April 15, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Eric Brown Jr./fi360 News)

LOS ANGELES, CA – On a sold-out Easter Sunday at Jackie Robinson Stadium, No. 1 UCLA kept
its dominant run going, finishing off a three-game sweep of No. 12 USC with a 10-4 win.
The Bruins just keep rolling. With the win, they pushed their streak to 23 straight wins, the
longest in program history plus they made it five consecutive conference series sweeps,
something the program has never done before.

West wasted no time getting UCLA on the board, leading off the first with a shot off the hitting
facility in right. USC answered in the second with a solo homer from Augie Lopez, and the game
stayed tight through the middle innings.

LOS ANGELES, CA – April 5: Phoenix Call #4 of the UCLA Bruins throws the ball in to the pitcher during the second inning during a game between USC Trojans and UCLA Bruins at Jackie Robinson Stadium on April 15, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Eric Brown Jr./fi360 News)

“Good teams win in a lot of different ways. Wins come in a lot of different shapes. And today, clearly, we didn’t play great defense for the first time in a long time. I thought we were fortunate to win.” said UCLA coach John Savage.

Power was the story all afternoon. UCLA launched five home runs, with Mulivai Levu leading the
charge. The first baseman had a big day at the plate, going 3-for-5 with two home runs, three
RBIs, and a pair of runs scored.

LOS ANGELES, CA – April 5: Landon Stump #14 of the UCLA Bruins pitches in the fifth inning during a game between USC Trojans and UCLA Bruins at Jackie Robinson Stadium on April 15, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Eric Brown Jr./fi360 News)

Top MLB Draft prospect Roch Cholowsky stayed hot as well, getting three hits and adding his
11th home run of the season. Dean West got things going early with a leadoff homer in the first,
and Will Gasparino added to the fireworks with his 13th of the year.

Payton Brennan capped off an unreal weekend, recording his third straight three-hit game plus
an epic catch early in the game. He finished the series 9-for-13 with a home run, six RBIs, and
four runs scored.

LOS ANGELES, CA – April 5: Andrew Johnson #13 of the USC Trojans pitches in the third inning during a game between USC Trojans and UCLA Bruins at Jackie Robinson Stadium on April 15, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Eric Brown Jr./fi360 News)

After some back-and-forth early, UCLA took control late. The bullpen came up big, holding USC
to just one run over the final five innings. Chris Grothues picked up his first win of the season,
while Zach Strickland closed things out in impressive fashion, striking out three over two
scoreless innings to earn his first career save.

After USC briefly took the lead in the fifth, UCLA responded immediately. Levu crushed a solo
shot to start the inning, and Gasparino followed later with a two-run homer to swing momentum
right back.

LOS ANGELES, CA – April 5: Roch Cholowsky #1 of the UCLA Bruins singles in the sixth inning during a game between USC Trojans and UCLA Bruins at Jackie Robinson Stadium on April 15, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Eric Brown Jr./fi360 News)

From there, UCLA didn’t look back. Levu added his second homer of the day in the sixth, and
Cholowsky put the game away in the eighth with a three-run blast to center.

Strickland closed out the game fore the Bruins, shutting the door in the ninth to lock up the
sweep.

“I wish the ballpark was bigger,” Savage remarked regarding the packed Jackie Robinson Stadium that saw approximately 2,000 fans for the rivalry finale.”

LOS ANGELES, CA – April 5: A detailed look at the sold out crowd during a game between USC Trojans and UCLA Bruins at Jackie Robinson Stadium on April 15, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Eric Brown Jr./fi360 News)

UCLA now looks forward to a midweek matchup at Cal State Fullerton on April 7th, 2026

UCLA understood their assignment, get payback and make history against UT

By

Charle' Moore

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April 3, 2026

Kiki Rice #1 — UCLA's Kiki Rice attacks from center court. Photo by Jason Purisima / fi360 News

Phoenix, AZ- UCLA gave a championship clamp against UT leading scorer enroute to their first championship game in NCAA history while continuing their 30-game win streak as Senior Center Lauren Betts racked up another career double double, 16 points and 11 rebounds, on Friday night at Mortgage Matchup Center to make up and avenge her team’s only loss of the season in a close low-scoring victory, 51-44.

“We always say the tougher, more together team wins,” Coach Cori Close said. “And I just thought we had to keep resetting, keep coming back to the right mental state of mind, to what the next right step was….And we did it with toughness, togetherness, and defense.”

UCLA’s Kiki Rice attacks the goal. Photo by Jason Purisima / fi360 News

UCLA had the second game of Final Four doubleheader and came out the gate attacking on both ends with a 10-0 run in the first quarter to take an early advantage, 14-6.

“I like having the second game because of the quick warmup and then get out there ready to play,” said UCLA Senior Guard KiKi Rice postgame.

Similar to how South Carolina vs UConn game, Lady Bruins and Lady Longhorns accumulated low quarter scoring in the first half. While the first semifinal game reached 50 points combined, UCLA and UT combined for 37 points making this game a NCAA record for lowest points in a Final Four first half as both teams scored six points in one of the two quarters.

UCLA’s Lauren Betts #51 finished with 16 points, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 3 assists. Photo by Jason Purisima / fi360 News

.”I wanted to apologize to all the fans for the rugby match and the 23 turnovers, coach Close said. “I give credit to them [UT] that they play that hard to force that kind of game and they have some just excellent players on their team.”

UCLA went to their leading scorer and expected first round WNBA top 10 draft pick, Betts whom posted six points and grabbed down four rebounds, to lead her team into halftime with a three-point lead, 20-17.

Second half resume like first half’s first quarter for UCLA, starting with Bruins going up 10 again in the third quarter and finishing with a 11-9 advantage to extend their lead, 31-26.

UCLA’s Lauren Betts with the jump shot in the paint. Photo by Jason Purisima / fi360 News

Rice scored all of her 11 points in second half, with a pivotal strong drive in the third and later a momentum boosts three pointer in the fourth, to ignite a 7-4 run, with little over 7:00 remaining in the game, putting UCLA up 38-30.

“When Lauren gets triple and double teamed, it’s big for us guards, so a few of us were able to knock down some big shots,” Rice said.

Betts then gave her team their largest lead thus far in the game, 42-30, before UT’s Madison Booker answered with only her second field goal to cut down the lead back to 10. Betts denied Booker the next time she came through the lane in the paint with a rousing rejection that was part of sealing her team’s victory and extending their season into Sunday final championship game.

Texas Jordan Lee driving the ball from the top of the key. Photo by Jason Purisima / fi360 News

UCLA had four players score in double figures including Gianna Kneepkens, whom hit her second triple of the night to stretch her team lead to 13, 45-32 with less than five minutes remaining.

“Like we want this so bad for each other. And the way we come out, the way we prep, the way we practice, the way we work on defense, the way we go for steals, like that’s all because we just want to earn more days with each other,” Betts said. “We want to make history and we want to do this for all of each other. I think it’s just our connectivity and that’s why we’ve gotten this far and I’m just extremely proud of this group. Obviously, this job’s not finished…”

UCLA did not get a walk in the park win like UT had on them early in their season as UT fought back to the very end, including a 12-2 run to bring them within three, 44-47 in less than a minute remaining of the game.

UCLA’s Angela Dugalic shooting a three pointer. Photo by Jason Purisima / fi360 News

Rice, whom holds NCAA eighth highest free throw percentage at a little over 90 percent, knocked down back-to-back pairs of clutch free throws to put the game and any Longhorn comeback hopes away.

“As a team we practice free throws every single day,” Rice said. “I know I am good free throw shooter and have tons of confidence in it.”

UCLA returns on Sunday to face another USC from the south region in hopes of making history again while USC looks to build on their legacy of NCAA championships with a little redemption from last season’s championship loss.

UCLA track shows off at the Jim Bush

By

Jevone Moore

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March 29, 2026

UCLA's Taylor Snaer is the anchor for the women's 4x100 relay, taking 1st place overall. Photo by Jason Purisima / fi360 News

LOS ANGELES, CA- UCLA’s men’s and women’s track and field teams delivered a strong all-around performance Saturday at the Jim Bush Legends Meet, highlighted by multiple event wins and personal-best efforts at Drake Stadium.

Competing on their home track, the Bruins showcased depth across sprints, distance events and field competitions, with several athletes turning in standout marks as the outdoor season continues to build momentum.

On the women’s side, UCLA was paced by a series of impressive finishes in the sprint and field events. The Bruins dominated the short sprints, with a strong showing in the 100 meters and 200 meters, where multiple athletes posted top times and controlled their heats from the start. In the field, UCLA’s jumpers added to the team’s success, recording winning marks and consistent performances that energized the home crowd.

UCLA’s Hurdler Davis Davis-Lyric finished second, setting a PB 14.16 seconds. Photo by Jason Purisima / fi360 News

“We’re starting to see things come together,” a UCLA assistant coach said. “This meet is about competing, sharpening execution and building confidence, and our athletes responded across the board.”

The Bruins’ distance runners also contributed, turning in competitive times in the 800 and 1500 meters while maintaining strong pacing throughout. The balanced effort reflected UCLA’s emphasis on depth, as athletes across multiple disciplines contributed to the team’s success.

On the men’s side, UCLA matched that intensity with several standout performances of its own. The Bruins were particularly strong in the sprints and hurdles, where athletes surged late in races to secure victories and top-three finishes. Their execution off the blocks and in transition phases proved decisive in tight races.

UCLA’s Men’s High Jumper Hamdi Ali took 2nd place with a max clearance of 2.13m Photo by Jason Purisima / fi360 News

UCLA’s field event athletes also made a significant impact. Throwers and jumpers delivered solid marks, with at least one event win and several podium finishes that underscored the team’s versatility. The Bruins’ ability to score points across events highlighted their balance early in the outdoor campaign.

“The focus right now is consistency and competing at a high level every time we step on the track,” a UCLA athlete said. “Being at home, we wanted to take advantage of that energy and set the tone for the rest of the season.”

The Jim Bush Legends Meet, named in honor of the longtime UCLA coach, brought together a competitive field of collegiate programs, creating an atmosphere that pushed athletes to perform at a high level. For UCLA, the meet served as both a measuring stick and an opportunity to refine race strategies and technique.

UCLA’s Kayla McBride lead-off to 4x100m relay Photo by Jason Purisima / fi360 News

Throughout the day, the Bruins fed off the support of the home crowd at Drake Stadium, using that energy to deliver strong finishes and maintain focus in closely contested events. The performances reflected a team trending upward as the outdoor season progresses.

While the meet does not carry championship implications, UCLA’s results provided a glimpse of its potential heading into more competitive meets later in the spring. The combination of experienced athletes and emerging contributors gives the Bruins optimism moving forward.

UCLA will continue its outdoor season in the coming weeks, looking to build on Saturday’s momentum as it prepares for conference competition and postseason meets.

UCLA’s Gabriella Taylor placed 2nd in the Women’s 400m Dash at 53.24s Photo by Jason Purisima / fi360 News

Angel City drops Houston

By

Jevone Moore

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March 27, 2026

LOS ANGELES, CA — Angel City FC scored three unanswered goals to defeat the Houston Dash 3-1 on Friday night at BMO Stadium, using a dominant second-half performance to secure all three points in front of a lively home crowd.

Houston struck first, but Angel City responded with composure and attacking precision, turning the match around with pace on the wings and clinical finishing in the final third. The victory marked a strong showing for the Los Angeles side as it continued its early-season push.

The Dash opened the scoring in the first half, capitalizing on a defensive breakdown to take a 1-0 lead. A quick attacking sequence caught Angel City off guard, and Houston finished cleanly to silence the home supporters.

Despite falling behind, Angel City gradually settled into the match, controlling possession and creating chances before halftime. While they were unable to find an equalizer in the opening 45 minutes, their attacking intent carried into the second half.

“We didn’t panic after conceding,” Angel City head coach said. “The message at halftime was to stay aggressive and trust the way we play, and the players executed that perfectly.”

Angel City wasted little time after the restart. The equalizer came early in the second half following a well-worked move that sliced through Houston’s defense, leveling the score at 1-1 and shifting momentum firmly toward the home side.

With the crowd behind them, Angel City continued to press. Their second goal followed midway through the half, as sustained pressure forced a turnover deep in Houston’s end, leading to a composed finish and a 2-1 advantage.

The hosts added an insurance goal late in the match, finishing off a counterattack to extend the lead to 3-1 and effectively seal the result. The sequence highlighted Angel City’s ability to transition quickly and exploit spaces as Houston pushed forward in search of an equalizer.

Houston head coach acknowledged the shift in momentum after halftime.

“We had control early and did a lot of good things in the first half,” the coach said. “But we lost our shape after they scored, and against a team like that, it’s hard to recover.”

Angel City’s midfield played a key role in the comeback, dictating tempo and limiting Houston’s opportunities to build sustained attacks in the second half. Defensively, the Los Angeles side tightened its shape after conceding, allowing few clear chances the rest of the way.

The match marked a tale of two halves, with Houston finding early success through direct play and opportunistic attacking, while Angel City dominated possession and chances after the break.

Fans at BMO Stadium provided an energetic backdrop, fueling the home side’s surge as the match wore on. The victory not only showcased Angel City’s resilience but also its depth and attacking versatility.

With the win, Angel City FC gains momentum heading into its next match, while the Houston Dash will look to regroup after letting an early lead slip away.

NIL: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

By

Joshua Noruwa

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March 26, 2026

You’ve heard it many times before. “NIL.” But what does it mean in today’s landscape and how does it affect the current collegiate athlete? Also, from a broader view, how is NIL positively and negatively affecting the sports world overall? In this piece, we take a deeper dive into the true nature of Name, Image, and Likeness.

The Good:

A unanimous Supreme Court ruling in the summer of 2021 made it possible to allow student-athletes to use their own name to earn money and receive compensation through endorsements, sponsorships, merchandising, and collectives. This means athletes can now profit from activities like promoting brands on social media, starring in commercials and ads, selling branded merchandise, and more recently through NIL collectives. Collectives, which are donor specific organizations, gather money to offer sponsorship opportunities to student-athletes at various colleges and universities. These new rules alone are a far cry from the old NCAA model, which for the longest time prohibited and penalized students and their eligibility from making deals or even accepting gifts. Players can now maximize their earning potential and change the course of the life of themselves and their families without needing to go pro. This is significant because less than 2% percent of NCAA student-athletes go on to play professional sports. Instead they can now reap the benefits of their own situations and create a rock solid financial foundation for the present and future.

USC Trojans taking the court versus UCLA. Photo by Jason Purisima

The Bad:

With as much good that NIL brings to the student-athlete, there are an equal amount of rising issues that have developed due to its nature. It’s important to remember that at the end of the day these are young adults that range from the ages of roughly 17-23 years old and without proper guidance and instruction, students can be exploited by agents and companies into signing bad contracts or taking bad deals. Additionally, top players more specifically in basketball and football tend to receive those massive deals leaving their teammates with less, creating inequity and jealousy right in the locker room itself.

The Ugly:

Due to such poor regulation, we’re starting to see the fabric of the major sports begin to deteriorate. Athletes are now using the transfer portal to jump from school to school at breakneck speed, essentially going to the highest bidder or whichever program is offering the most money. This ends up taking away that beloved junior or senior that you grow accustomed to seeing for years with a certain program and disrupts a team’s entire roster continuity. In the current model, it’s not uncommon to see a player transfer to four schools in four years. In many cases, this ends up harming the player as they are burning bridges from the previous program and building less meaningful relationships and stability at one location. Not to mention pay-for-play corruption. Boosters are now using the same NIL collectives mentioned above to bribe recruits rather than provide actual endorsement opportunities, indirectly turning college sports into a model that mirrors the professionals. The wealthier schools and Power 5 programs have bigger boosters creating a massive advantage on the recruiting trail, creating an even larger competitive imbalance and destroying many of the Cinderella stories that have captured the hearts of a nation.

Final Thoughts:

There’s no denying that NIL has helped many student athletes realize dreams and opportunities that were otherwise previously unavailable for decades. However, if there is no effort to address some of the major flaws, we could see chaos begin to augment itself quickly and threaten our favorite sports we’ve come to know and love.

Lauren Betts on a career record night uplifts UCLA to fourth sweet 16 in a row, 87-68

By

Charle' Moore

-

March 24, 2026

_RM54100 — Betts (51) Photo by Jevone Moore

UCLA makes its fourth consecutive sweet 16 appearance during Cori Close coaching era with a hard earned, battle-tested victory, 87-68 over Oklahoma State. Making it sweeter with a cherry on top was Senior Center Lauren Betts setting a career high 35 points off 15 of 19 field goals, and nine rebounds as she bid farewell from playing her final collegiate home game at Pauley Pavilion, Monday night in front of an appreciative crowd.

“I thought Oklahoma State gave us all the aggression, and I thought they were fierce and competitive and physical and just want to give them credit for a great game and a great year for them, UCLA head coach Cori Close said. “It’s a weird feeling right now… not really from a basketball perspective. These aren’t where the tears come from. It’s the way these seniors have [snorts] affected our UCLA community. With class, commitment, [snorts] loyalty, selflessness. People are saying all the time, “Oh, we’ve lost the true student athlete.” No, we haven’t.”

Following a game with multiple Bruins student-athletes delivering double-double performances that included both Betts sisters in the first round against CBU, L. Betts elevated her scoring and minutes played in the second round to leave an impressionable mark and final home memory for any UCLA fan to “Betts” their bottom dollar on her impact on this team, program and a deep tournament run.

“I mean I think her impact has been incredible, she makes everyone better, not just because of the basketball player she is, but the leader she is, Graduate transfer Gianna Kneepkens said. “She challenges us, she pushes us, and she just wants what’s best for the team. So like when people triple her, she’s not worried about can I get the points. She’s seeing who’s open so that we can score. So I just have had such a great time playing with Lauren and she’s one of the biggest reasons I came here. So just super grateful to be part of this team.”

Betts’ basketball odyssey to Bruins beloved Brentwood community has been a bar raising exercise as some considered she carried the team on her back to a national championship game last season. This season, she continues to dominate and carve out her place in this program’s history while receiving a scream-filled, standing ovation when the 6-foot-7 post subbed out her final minutes of her final home game.

“I’m just really thankful,” Betts said. “This community, the minute I transferred over here, has really welcomed me with open arms.”

Betts shared about how hard she worked on sealing defenders that allowed her teammates to find her in the paint pre demand triple teams for kick out assists.

“My teammates did a really great job finding me. Some of those passes were absolutely insane!” Betts said.

Betts kept UCLA in the lead for the entire game while the closest Oklahoma came after falling behind in the opening quarter, 21-6 was within 13 points in third quarter. UCLA started the second quarter on 18-8 run that carried them into halftime with an easy advantage, 46-26

“We know that they’re really big, but we also have speed as an advantage,” OSU Guard Jadyn Wooten said. “We didn’t get off to the start that we wanted to, but coming into the second half, it was just something we thought we could take advantage of.”

Wooten scored 18 points off the bench and dished six assists. Cowgirls were led by Achol Akot’s 23 points before fouling out with 24 seconds remaining in the game.

Oklahoma State outscored UCLA 42-41 in the second half forcing coach Close to call late game timeouts despite the deficit and keeping “All Gas” Gabriela Jaquez at the end of the game while the other seniors got an embellishing substitution for their final home celebration.

“When you take out that first quarter, we went toe-to-toe with one of the best teams in the country, and beat them in the second half,” Oklahoma State coach Jacie Hoyt said.

Coach Close acknowledged her team and coaching staff’s shortcomings or lows as not of major concern despite Oklahoma State producing their largest run early in the third quarter led by Wooten rattling off six points to push a 9-0 run, cutting the lead to 13, 52-39. Having big leads in the first half fueled by great starts has been somewhat an Achilles heel for the Bruins.

“People are going to go on runs,” Betts said, “but we just have to lock in and focus on what we need to do.”

Betts scored 20 points in the second half, 10 coming in the third to put the Bruins up 64-47 entering the fourth period. She added 10 more points in the final quarter when the crowd sighed a sense of relief as UCLA pulled away and put up a seal to claim victory.

Joining in on this celebratory day were a few celebrities spotted to commemorate a 27-game win streak including NBA Hall of Famer, Dwayne Wade and his wife, UCLA long time athletics supporter, Gabrielle Union-Wade, alongside their 7-year-old daughter. Also, All-time Bruins great and alumni Baron Davis was in the building.

“They have a team that I believe is capable of winning it all,” Cowgirls coach Hoyt said.

Balancing Betts on the inside from the outside was Kneepkens 15 points, which she drained back-to-back triples in clutch moments, shifting momentum away from the Cowgirls. In addition, Senior Guards Kiki Rice and Jaquez scored 10 apiece in their final home game as well.

Next up the No 1- seed Bruins (34-1) take on the No. 4 seed Gophers (24-10) in a rematch of Big Ten league opponents on Friday in Sacramento.

UCLA Lady Bruins Senior Leadership on to the Sweet 16

By

Jevone Moore

-

March 23, 2026

_RM54346 — Loren Betts Photo by Jevone Moore

LOS ANGELES, CA — Lauren Betts delivered a historic performance in her final game at Pauley Pavilion, scoring 35 points to become UCLA’s all-time leading scorer and lead the Bruins to an 87-68 victory over Oklahoma State in the second round of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament on Monday night.

The win sends UCLA to the Sweet 16 and marks a fitting farewell for the program’s six seniors, who closed out their home careers unbeaten in the NCAA Tournament at Pauley Pavilion. The group, which has helped elevate the Bruins into national title contention, was honored in an emotional postgame scene after securing the decisive victory.

Betts dominated from the opening tip, controlling the paint offensively and defensively while surpassing the program’s all-time scoring mark in the third quarter. The senior center added to her legacy with efficient scoring, rebounding and rim protection, helping UCLA (record not provided) pull away in the second half after a competitive start.

“It means everything to do this here, with this group,” Betts said. “We’ve built something special, and to have my last game at Pauley be like this — with a win and moving on — it’s something I’ll never forget.”

UCLA set the tone early with its physicality inside and defensive pressure, building a double-digit lead late in the first half. Oklahoma State responded with a brief run to cut the deficit to single digits before halftime, but the Bruins quickly reasserted control after the break.

Behind Betts, UCLA opened the third quarter on a 10-2 run, stretching the lead to 15 points. The Bruins’ defense tightened, forcing turnovers and limiting second-chance opportunities while converting in transition on the other end.

The senior class played a key role throughout. Beyond Betts’ scoring outburst, UCLA received steady contributions across the lineup, with veterans providing leadership, defensive intensity and timely shooting. The group’s chemistry and experience were evident as the Bruins methodically built their advantage.

CharlisseLeger-Walker (5) Photo by Jevone Moore

“These six seniors have changed our program,” UCLA coach Cori Close said. “They’ve set a standard of toughness, selflessness and belief. To see them go out like this at Pauley — it’s incredibly meaningful for all of us.”

Oklahoma State (record not provided) struggled to contain Betts in the paint and had difficulty generating consistent offense against UCLA’s length. The Cowgirls were held to limited efficiency in the second half, unable to keep pace as the Bruins extended their lead to as many as 20 points in the fourth quarter.

By the final minutes, the outcome was no longer in doubt. The Pauley Pavilion crowd rose to its feet as UCLA’s seniors checked out one by one, embracing teammates and coaches in a moment that reflected both celebration and closure.

The victory not only advances UCLA deeper into the tournament but also underscores the impact of its senior class, which has helped return the program to national prominence. With Betts now atop the program’s all-time scoring list and the Bruins still dancing, the story of this group continues.

UCLA will look to carry its momentum into the Sweet 16, but Monday night belonged to its seniors — and to Betts, whose record-setting performance ensured her name will forever be etched in Bruins history.

No. 1 UCLA unpredictable slow start unleashes into an unprecedented second half over Cal Baptist, 96-43

By

Charle' Moore

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March 21, 2026

_RM52720 — Photo by Jevone Moore / fi360 News

Los Angeles, CA- Senior Starting Center Lauren Betts went to the bench early before finishing with a double-double, 22 points and 10 boards while grabbing key putbacks to help her team unlock the combination of an unyielding Cal Baptist’s first half and an unstoppable second half run to secure another opening round NCAA tournament victory at Pauley Pavilion on Saturday night, 96-43.

The Bruins (32-1) trailed in the first few minutes of the game after predictions of a 52.5 spread and only led by ten points entering halftime, 44-34 while the Lancers (23-10) were able to keep up behind some hot shooting from deep, knocking down almost everything but the kitchen sink.

“I want to just compliment Cal Baptist…and their sustained excellence…how they play to their identity,” UCLA head coach Cori Close said. “They had just sort of a relentless hustle about them knowing who they are… they had a great season. They’re very well coached. Obviously, those kinds of matchups are difficult for us as big as we are. We couldn’t take advantage of it as much in the first half on offense and then defensively it really spreads us out.”

Cal Baptist brought March madness to a disappointed UCLA head coach, Cori Close, in the first half, calling out her team’s “unacceptable” play to which her team responded with a 31-4 third quarter run, holding their 16 seeded opponent to only one three-pointer in second half after connecting on five in the first.

“I mean in my opinion that’s the best team in the country and we gave them all they could handle for about 20 minutes,” Cal Baptist Head Coach Jarrod Olson said, “Unfortunately, you know, whatever Cori said to them at halftime really kind of got them going in the second half.”

Senior Guard KiKi Rice was a key part of that second half charge, scoring 18 points, 10 of those points came from a perfect trip to the charity stripe, along with seven rebounds and four assists.

Bruins posted five players in double figures including three front court players with double-doubles in points and rebounds. UCLA out-rebounded Cal Baptist 62-21, 41 of those 62 grabbed off the defensive glass.

“I feel like that’s something that we really emphasized all week in practice that we need to be amazing rebounders if you want to get through this tournament,” L. Betts said. “I think that’s just all the hard work that we did in practice translated into the game today.”

Chance Bucher led Cal Baptist in scoring with 11 points as sole Lancers double-digit scorer, which included knocking down two triples in a row to close on the Bruins’ lead right before her team went cold hitting only four and five points in the last two quarters. They shot a dismal 4 out of 33 from the field in the final half.

“Yeah, I think in that first half we were just playing basketball like that’s something that we emphasized a lot like going into this game like

it’s just basketball,” Bucher said, “I think we succeeded in doing that in the first half and that’s what kept us so close.”

Unfortunately for the Lancers, the Bruins did not allow them a fairytale ending and understood their assignment to keep a glass slipper on for this Cinderella team to exit the ball before midnight despite leaving it all on the floor.

“I think in the locker room it was made very clear to us that we needed to do a better job and that was before the coaches came in,” Angela Dugalic said. “Like Coach Cori said, Cal Baptist is a great team and a great shooting team and we didn’t execute our scouting report to our best potential. I think in the second half we did a better job because we were all on the same page and we understood what we had to do.”

UCLA unpacked their uncharacteristic sluggish start to not underestimating their higher seeded opponent or expecting a cake walk but leaned towards them unfollowing their game plan from the onset and Cal Baptist playing unhinged with a style of play that took time to adjust and attack before unraveling any hope of upset.

“I believe in our team. I love this team,” coach Close said. “This has been one of the most fun teams I’ve ever coached and it’s been one of the most hardworking teams that I’ve ever coached. And every game presents some different learning points and challenges. I’ve really got great confidence in this team that we will look at this game and go okay you know what did this teach us—what are the pivots and adjustments that need to be made and we will come out ready to go on Monday.”

UCLA advances to face Oklahoma State (24-9) in the second round after having to endure a mixed home crowd with Cal Baptist whom had supporters traveling approximately 70 miles from Riverside to cheer on the WAC regular season and tournament champion in their second tournament appearance in three years.

US National Flag Team dominates NFL stars

By

Jevone Moore

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March 21, 2026

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The U.S. Men’s National Flag Football Team left little doubt about the gap between traditional tackle football stars and the sport’s elite specialists, rolling to a championship at the Fanatics Flag Football Classic on Saturday at BMO Stadium.

Team USA defeated the Wildcats FFC 24-14 in the title game after earlier dominating both NFL star-led squads, showcasing the speed, timing and precision that have made the Americans the standard in international flag football.

Darrell Doucette III (Photo by Jevone Moore)

“It’s a different game — angles, spacing, timing — and we play it every day,” Team USA quarterback Darrell “Housh” Doucette III said. “Those guys are incredible athletes, but this is our sport. We knew if we executed, we’d come out on top.”

The championship game was competitive early, with Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels splitting time at quarterback for the Wildcats. Burrow threw for 76 yards and a touchdown, while Daniels added 48 yards and a score as the Wildcats kept pace through the first half.

But Team USA’s efficiency proved decisive. Quarterback Chad Casares completed 7 of 8 passes for 93 yards and a touchdown, while Doucette added a scoring pass and ran for two touchdowns, finishing with 46 rushing yards. The Americans also controlled possession for nearly 19 minutes and capitalized on defensive stops to pull away late.

Earlier in the day, Team USA set the tone with a 39-14 victory over the Wildcats in the opening game. Casares threw three touchdown passes, and the offense spread the ball efficiently, totaling 200 yards. The Wildcats showed flashes behind Burrow (133 yards, one touchdown) and a deep receiving corps that included Odell Beckham Jr. and DeAndre Hopkins, but struggled to match the pace.

Team USA followed with a dominant 43-16 win over the Founders FFC, led by Tom Brady and Jalen Hurts. Casares was nearly perfect, completing all 14 of his passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns, while Doucette accounted for two more scores through the air.

Brady threw two touchdown passes in the loss, but the Founders were unable to generate consistent offense against Team USA’s disciplined defense.

In the third game, the Wildcats defeated the Founders 34-26 behind a balanced offensive effort. Burrow was flawless, completing all seven of his passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns, while Daniels and Saquon Barkley combined for more than 100 rushing yards. Beckham added two touchdown receptions in the win.

Despite the star power on the NFL-led rosters, the tournament ultimately underscored the unique demands of flag football — a point emphasized by Tom Brady after the championship.

“You can see how specialized this game is,” Brady said. “The quickness, the decision-making, the way these guys move — it’s different than what we’re used to. That team earned it.”

Tyler Davis #0 scores a touchdown (Member Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity) ( (Photo by Jevone Moore)

The event, produced by Fanatics Studios and televised by FOX Sports, served as a preview of flag football’s Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028 — on the same field where Team USA celebrated its latest statement victory.