South Carolina vs. UCLA: Battle for the NCAA Championship
- The South Carolina Gamecocks and UCLA Bruins will face off on Sunday, April 5, 2026, for the Women's NCAA national championship.
- South Carolina is seeking its fourth NCAA title and third championship in five years.
- South Carolina advanced to the final by defeating the defending national champion Connecticut Huskies 62-48 in the semifinals on April 3, 2026.
The South Carolina Gamecocks and UCLA Bruins will face off on Sunday, April 5, 2026, for the Women’s NCAA national championship. The title game will take place at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, which serves as the home for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury.
The matchup features two No. 1 seeds. South Carolina is seeking its fourth NCAA title and third championship in five years. UCLA is competing for its first national championship in program history.
Path to the Championship
South Carolina advanced to the final by defeating the defending national champion Connecticut Huskies 62-48 in the semifinals on April 3, 2026. This victory snapped UConn’s 54-game winning streak.
The Gamecocks entered the championship game with a record of 36-3 and a five-game winning streak. They previously secured the Southeastern Conference regular-season championship with a 15-1 record.
UCLA reached the title game after a 51-44 victory over Texas in the second semifinal game on Friday, April 3, 2026. The Bruins entered the final with a 36-1 record and a 30-game winning streak.
UCLA’s season achievements include winning the Big Ten Conference with an 18-0 record and claiming the league’s tournament title.
Key Players and Matchups
UCLA senior center Lauren Betts has been a standout performer. In the semifinal victory over Texas, Betts recorded 15 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 70% from the field. She also provided a critical block with approximately 20 seconds remaining to protect the Bruins’ lead.
Lauren Betts
This is something that we’ve all dreamt of being in the position in. We’re all very thankful. We expected to be here.
For South Carolina, Raven Johnson is identified as a pivotal player. The 5-foot-8 point guard has been instrumental in coach Dawn Staley’s defensive schemes, including guarding the 6-foot-2 AP National Player of the Year Sarah Strong during the semifinal game against UConn.
Game Details and Betting Odds
The championship game is scheduled to tip off at 3:30 p.m. ET (12:30 p.m. PT) on April 5, 2026. The event will be broadcast live on ABC, with streaming available via Fubo and ESPN Unlimited.
According to betting data provided by SportsLine, South Carolina is a 3.5-point favorite. The money line for the Gamecocks is set at -185, and the over/under for total points scored in the game is 130.5.
Coaching Context
South Carolina is led by coach Dawn Staley, who has already guided the team to three championships. The semifinal game on April 3 was noted for a heated exchange between Staley and UConn coach Geno Auriemma following the Gamecocks’ victory.