As the 2025-26 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball season came to an end, the Final Four closed out the season with unexpected blowouts and powerful performances as the UCLA Bruins emerged victorious, hoisting the National Championship trophy for the first time in their women’s program history. 

The Final Four took place in Phoenix, with the Connecticut Huskies, the reigning national champions, facing off against the South Carolina Gamecocks on Friday, April 3, followed by the UCLA Bruins’ matchup against the Texas Longhorns. It was the first time since 1995 that all Final Four teams appeared in back-to-back years in the women’s tournament, with all teams placed as No. 1 seeds going into the tournament. 

With UConn and South Carolina, facing off first, with odds stacked up in favor of the Huskies, the semifinal game served as a rematch of the 2025 National Championship. Tensions were high as UConn aimed to prolong their 54 game undefeated record, while the Gamecocks looked to get revenge for their championship loss in 2025, in which UConn dominated the Gamecocks 82-59, the fourth largest point differential in women’s championship history. Although the game started off with back-and-forth momentum and leads switching numerous times, through a gritty and overly defensive game, the Gamecocks defeated the Huskies 62-48. 

Despite UConn’s stacked, deep, and talented roster, the Gamecocks defense limited their shot taking to mid-range, guarding the glass and perimeter extremely well. Star Huskies Sarah Strong, who had won the national player of the year award, as well as senior Azzi Fudd, had startling underwhelming performances, which stunted offensive growth early and made it difficult for UConn to gain scoring momentum. South Carolina, conversely, weathered the storms of tough basket-making, with Tessa Johnson and Raven Johnson shining the most in their offensive lineup. 

The other Final Four match, taking place between UCLA and Texas, resulted in a 51-44 score, with the Bruins coming out on top. Combined with senior Lauren Betts’ 16-point interior performance, the Bruins were able to step up defensively. Forcing inefficient shooting and playing man defense, UCLA limited Longhorn superstar Madison Booker to a meek 2-for-20 from the floor. Although Texas had many defensive stops, they, similar to UConn, had a difficult time generating productive offense, with poor shot selection and scoring droughts that dragged them out of the game. 

The Bruins and Gamecocks, both emerging victorious from the Final Four round, entered the NCAA Championship game on Sunday, April 5. The game ended decisively, with a Betts-led Bruins squad obliterating South Carolina 79-51, marking two consecutive disappointing national championship losses for the Gamecocks. The game ended with 6-foot-7 center Betts receiving MVP honors, catapulting her draft stock as the WNBA season approaches. 

Throughout the Final Four, these elite teams proved that it’s not only skill and roster talent that determines champions, but also the effort and consistency put into each and every game.