The UCLA Bruins are crowned the 2026 Women's NCAA Basketball Tournament champions after taking down the South Carolina Gamecocks in convincing fashion. The most casual fan can look at the 51-79 final score and determine that it was a one-sided affair for the Bruins.
The biggest key to the win was the Bruins' unstoppable offense. Gabriela Jaquez led the scoring department with her 21 points, but every starter also enjoyed double-digit scoring performances.
It's also impressive how efficient the 2026 champs were in protecting the rock and distributing the wealth. The Bruins notched 23 assists in regulation while also committing 13 turnovers, one less than South Carolina's 14.
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While there are plenty of positives to talk about UCLA's game, a beloved Los Angeles sports icon shared his opinion on what actually sealed the deal for the Bruins.
Magic Johnson Credits the UCLA Bruins' Defense for the 2026 Women's Basketball Title
Magic Johnson usually saves his basketball analysis for the Los Angeles Lakers, but the Hall of Fame point guard is more than happy to talk about the Bruins.
He credited the team's stifling defense as a major factor in their win. He tipped his hat to Cari Close and the rest of the coaching staff for preventing their rivals from doing what they wanted on the hardwood.
"The true key to victory was UCLA’s suffocating defense which took South Carolina out of everything offensively," Magic wrote on his X account. "Give Coach Cori Close and her coaching staff credit on a great game plan and shoutout to the team for executing the game plan to perfection!"
South Carolina failed to address the defensive schemes Close set up for the Bruins. They only made 18 of their 62 shot attempts. Their long-range shooting (2-for-15) was also offline.
