The No. 5 UCLA Bruins delivered a statement win on Sunday, stunning No. 1 South Carolina with a dominant 77-62 victory that snapped the Gamecocks’ 43-game win streak. It was UCLA’s first-ever win over an AP No. 1 team, showcasing their depth, balance, and championship potential.
The Bruins (5-0) came out firing, opening with a 15-2 run and building a commanding 24-point halftime lead. Their defensive intensity stifled South Carolina (5-1), holding the Gamecocks to just 9-of-34 shooting in the first half. UCLA guard Londynn Jones led the way with 15 points, shooting a perfect 5-for-5 from beyond the arc, while 6-foot-7 center Lauren Betts controlled the interior with 11 points, 14 rebounds, and four blocks. Elina Aarnisalo added 13 points and four assists in the well-rounded effort.
South Carolina’s offensive struggles were glaring. The Gamecocks shot just 36% from the field and committed 13 turnovers, with only Te-Hina Paopao (18 points) and Tessa Johnson (14 points) reaching double figures. The loss ended South Carolina’s historic streak, which included 85 wins in their last 86 games and an unbeaten stretch in regular-season play since December 2021.
Recurring issues haunted the Gamecocks, including slow starts and inefficient shooting. South Carolina missed its first nine shots and didn’t score until nearly five minutes into the game. By the end of the first quarter, they trailed 15-2—a deficit they never overcame.
Individually, several key players underperformed. Starting point guard Raven Johnson managed just three points with two turnovers, marking her fifth game this season with fewer than five points. Bree Hall scored only three, while Chloe Kitts, who had recently been a consistent contributor, added just two. MiLaysia Fulwiley’s three-minute appearance included two turnovers, reflecting South Carolina’s disjointed offensive rhythm.
Despite holding Betts below her season scoring average, the Gamecocks struggled to contain UCLA’s perimeter shooters, with Jones hitting five 3-pointers and consistently punishing double teams in the paint. Defensive miscues also plagued South Carolina, as illustrated by a late-game sequence in which Ashlyn Watkins blocked Betts but followed up with an errant outlet pass, handing possession back to the Bruins.
South Carolina’s offensive inconsistency has become a concerning trend. They’ve shot above 50% from the field just once this season, and only Paopao has stepped up as a reliable scoring option. Head coach Dawn Staley acknowledged the need for others to fill the void left by Kamilla Cardoso, last season’s leading scorer. So far, that challenge remains unmet.
For UCLA, the win underscores their legitimacy as a national title contender. For South Carolina, it’s a wake-up call to address their offensive inefficiencies and reliance on individual efforts before facing more top-tier opponents.
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