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UCLA delivers historic upset, snaps 43-game winning streak for No. 1 South Carolina
By Mark Kern
Published:
UCLA can relish in a historic upset after taking down the No. 1 team in women’s basketball!
South Carolina has been the standard in women’s college basketball for awhile, as the Gamecocks went undefeated last season en route to a national championship. There will be no undefeated run this season, as Dawn Staley’s team was knocked off by UCLA, 77-62 on Sunday.
The loss for South Carolina ends a 43-game winning streak, and is the program’s first defeat since losing in the Final Four to the Caitlyn Clark led Iowa Hawkeyes in 2023. This was also the first road loss for the Gamecocks in their last 34 road contests.
This game was never close, as the Bruins got off to a double-digit lead after the first quarter, and were leading 43-22 at the half.
It is a historic win for UCLA and coach Cori Close, as the Bruins had never defeated the No. 1 team in the country.
🔵🔵🔵🔵#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/0ZF3KMSMfT
— UCLA Women's Basketball (@UCLAWBB) November 24, 2024
For the first time in program history, @UCLAWBB has beaten a No. 1 ranked team 🤩#B1GWBBall x #B1GStats pic.twitter.com/7aPQjP6aKg
— Big Ten Women's Basketball (@B1Gwbball) November 24, 2024
The Bruins got a balanced offensive attack on Sunday, as 5 players scored at least 11 points. Guard Londynn Jones scored 15 points, and was 5-of-5 from the 3-point line. Center Lauren Betts had another double-double for the Bruins, as she finished with 11 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists.
UCLA entered this game as the No. 5 team in the country, and will move up even higher in the rankings with the win.
The Bruins will be back in action against UT-Martin on Friday, while the Gamecocks have another tough game against No. 8 Iowa State on Thanksgiving.