UCLA wins program’s first-ever NCAA national championship

The GIST: The No. 1 UCLA Bruins are national champions after yesterday’s 79–51 shellacking of fellow No. 1 seed, South Carolina. Childhood dreams were realized, iconic crossovers occurred, and a pair of leather pants came in clutch — let’s relive the magic from this Bruins masterclass.

🐻 UCLA dominates from start to finish: Whether it was on the glass with their 21 offensive rebounds, in the paint where they outscored the Gamecocks by double digits, or from the three-point line where they shot an impressive 42%, the Bruins put on an absolute clinic yesterday.

• In fact, all five of UCLA’s senior starters scored in double figures, anchored by Final Four Most Outstanding player Lauren Betts and a 21-point, 10-rebound double-double from Gabriela Jaquez. This dub was never in doubt.

🏆 NCAA champions at long last: The Bruins last reached the pinnacle of women’s basketball in 1978, before women even competed in the NCAA. Now, they’re back at the top, earning UCLA’s first national title in the NCAA era as part of a program-record 31-game win streak. As if these dancing queens needed another reason to bop.

⏩ What’s next: The April 13th WNBA Entry Draft, of course, where all five UCLA starters should hear their names called. A stellar March Madness run is the perfect way to improve draft stock — Betts certainly solidified her place as a top-three pick, while Jaquez will likely jump up draft boards after yesterday’s performance.

• One of the deepest draft classes in recent memory, this year’s group also includes 6-foot-4 Spanish teen phenom Awa Fam, UConn standout Azzi Fudd, and brilliant TCU playmaker Olivia Miles. These kids are alright really good.