What an upset it was in one of the greatest upsets in women’s college basketball history as the UCLA Bruins stunned the South Carolina Gamecocks Sunday night in taking a 68-65 victory that snapped their 43-game win streak. The loss marked the first defeat since February 2022 for the Gamecocks and sent shockwaves through the world of women’s college basketball because the national rankings have been turned on their heads in proving that no team is invincible.
The game between the top Gamecocks and No. 7 Bruins was well worth the billing. It was an energetic game full of tensely played defense, clutch shooting, and dramatic swings in momentum. Played at Pauley Pavilion, this was one electric atmosphere as folks witnessed history in the making.
UCLA took command early, suffocating the Gamecocks with defense and making timely shots in running out to an eight-point halftime lead. The Bruins’ defense played aggressively, frustrating South Carolina’s normally potent offense with forced turnovers while limiting chances on offensive rebounds.
South Carolina, though, is a team not to be taken lightly. The Gamecocks stormed back in the third quarter by starring forward Aliyah Boston, who had 22 points and 12 rebounds in total for the night. Boston’s relentless effort in the paint would not let South Carolina be more than three from striking distance going into the fourth quarter.
The game was a nail-biter in the fourth quarter as both teams traded baskets and defensive stops. UCLA’s Kiki Rice emerged as the hero, scoring 10 of her 18 points in the final frame. That included a crucial three-pointer with less than a minute remaining to give the Bruins a four-point lead.
South Carolina had one final shot in its possession to send the game into overtime, but the Zia Cooke contested three-pointer fell short at the buzzer to seal the UCLA win. UCLA fans erupted in jubilation as the buzzer sounded, making it one of the biggest upsets in women’s college basketball in recent years.
This loss ends South Carolina’s status as perhaps the undisputed leader of women’s college basketball and questions the vulnerability of this powerhouse team at the start of the heart of the season. UCLA’s successful victory, on the other hand, has solidified its status as a serious competitor for the national championship, giving it a massive boost in confidence.
That being said, the Gamecocks are a power program, but this game serves as a reminder that every team is beatable. Being chosen at number two will still promise an improbable NCAA title fight.
UCLA’s win over South Carolina stands out in women’s college basketball, for with it, the longest win streaks can be clipped. For South Carolina, this is an opportunity to regroup and refocus, but for UCLA, this stands as a landmark win to put them on the straight road toward seeking new highs this season.
