NCAA South Carolina UCLA Basketball

South Carolina forward Joyce Edwards (8) shoots around UCLA center Lauren Betts (51) during the second half of the women's National Championship Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament game, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in Phoenix.

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Lauren Betts used lessons learned to lead UCLA to its 1st NCAA national championship

Lauren Betts used lessons learned to lead UCLA to its 1st NCAA national championship

UCLA has won its first NCAA national championship with its 79-51 blowout of South Carolina. Lauren Betts was the catalyst at both ends of the floor, as she's been throughout her career. The 6-foot-7 senior finished with 14 points, 11 rebounds and two blocked shots, altering and preventing even the thought of several others at the rim to give UCLA its first national championship since a 1978 AIAW title. Betts had a similar impact in UCLA’s 51-44 shutdown of Texas in the national semifinals, a 16-point, 11-rebound, three-block performance that set the stage for her to win Final Four most outstanding player.