UCLA Women's Basketball: A Legacy of Achievement
UCLA women's basketball boasts a rich history marked by competitive excellence, conference championships, and NCAA tournament success. From consistently challenging for Pac-12 titles to making deep runs in March Madness, the Bruins have established themselves as a force in collegiate women's basketball.
Recent Highlights: The 2024-25 Season
The 2024-25 season was a landmark year for the UCLA Bruins women's basketball team. Led by head coach Cori Close, in her fourteenth year, the Bruins played their home games at Pauley Pavilion. This season marked the program's inaugural year as a member of the Big Ten Conference.
A Historic Start and Intense Rivalry
The Bruins entered the season ranked No. 2 and quickly ascended to the top spot, achieving No. 1 in the AP Top 25 women's basketball poll for the first time in school history. The 2024-25 season was also the first for UCLA and USC in the Big Ten Conference, adding a new chapter to the storied UCLA-USC rivalry.
The Bruins were undefeated and ranked No. 1 when they first met USC in 2025. On February 13, 2025, the No. 6 Trojans defeated the Bruins 71-60, marking the Trojans' first home victory against a No. 1 team. The rematch at Pauley Pavilion on March 1, 2025, saw the Trojans and Bruins tied for first place in the Big Ten in the final regular-season game, where No. 4 ranked USC defeated No. 2 ranked UCLA 80-67 to win the regular-season Big Ten championship. These games drew national attention, attracting celebrities and extensive media coverage.
Postseason Journey
The teams met a third time in the 2025 Big Ten women's basketball tournament championship game on March 9, 2025, where UCLA captured the Big Ten Championship over the Trojans, 72-67. UCLA finished the regular season with a 27-2 record, 16-2 in conference play, securing a second-place finish, with their only losses to USC. For the first time in school history, the UCLA Bruins earned a number 1 seed and were also the number 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament.
Read also: The Evolution of Chip Kelly as a Coach
In the 2023-24 season, the Bruins finished with a 27-7 record, including 13-5 in Pac-12 play, finishing in third place. However, they fell to LSU in the Sweet Sixteen, 78-69.
Key Players and Recognition
Lauren Betts emerged as a standout player, earning recognition on the John R. Wooden Award Women's All-America Team and being named to the AP All-America team. She also broke a school record in a UCLA victory over Illinois. Betts' outstanding performance led to her being considered for the Naismith Trophy.
Coaching Excellence
Head coach Cori Close's leadership was widely recognized. Close was named the AP Coach of the Year after a historic season for the top-seeded Bruins and was also honored as the USBWA Women's National Coach of the Year. Additionally, Close was a finalist for the Naismith Coach of the Year Award.
Facilities and Schedule
The Bruins primarily play their home games at Pauley Pavilion. However, a game against Penn State was moved from Pauley to the Walter Pyramid on January 12, 2025. The 2024-25 schedule included both non-conference and Big Ten Conference games. The Big Ten Conference schedule was announced on September 19, 2024. Notably, the Northwestern road games at UCLA and USC were postponed due to wildfires in Los Angeles and Ventura County and were later forfeited by Northwestern in February 2025.
Read also: USC-UCLA Football History
Read also: UCLA vs. Illinois: Basketball History
tags: #ucla #women's #basketball #history
