UCLA defies expectations with a Final Four TKO of

It was ugly.

It was stunning.

It was a messy rock battle.

It was Bruin ballet.

In entrance of a shocked crowd at Phoenix’ Mortgage Matchup Center Friday evening, the UCLA ladies’s basketball crew defied stereotypes and outlined toughness and did what few believed this dancing, dazzling group may do.

They beat any individual up.

They stared down presumably rougher Texas in the national semifinals and painted the ground in streaks of Longhorn and gained the second-most important sport of their lives.

Now they get to play the most important.

With their 51-44 victory over the burned Orange, the Bruins have superior to the national championship sport Sunday against a bodily dominant group from powerhouse South Carolina.

Put up your dukes.

If you thought UCLA needed to take off the gloves against Texas, wait until they go naked knuckles with the deep and skilled Gamecocks.

Based on legacy alone, the national title bout is a mismatch.

South Carolina, under legendary coach Dawn Staley, is taking part in in the national championship sport for the third straight 12 months and fourth time in 5 years. Meanwhile, this is UCLA’s first title sport look in the NCAA period.

South Carolina has gained three championships in the last eight non-COVID-19 seasons. Meanwhile, UCLA is looking for its first NCAA championship and first title of any type since Ann Meyers Drysdale led the Bruins to the 1978 AIAW crown.title.

Count the Bruins out if you must. But against Texas, a crew that had dominated them during the common season, the Bruins did all the counting as the Longhorns lay flat on their backs during an eventual knockout.

It seems, being led by six seniors and graduate college students on a mission to end their careers together as champions issues. It seems, a willingness to do whatever it takes to win that title issues even more.

And it seems, 30 straight wins means one thing. These Bruins don’t flinch. These Bruins don’t retreat. These Bruins don’t have any doubt that they’ll survive whatever South Carolina throws at them, even if that’s enough fists and fury to make semifinal-losing UConn coach Geno Auriemma lose his thoughts during a profane in-game interview Friday on ESPN.

“The job’s not finished,” said Gabriela Jaquez, who once again seemingly confirmed up around every free ball. “Still have one more game to win.”

UCLA ahead Gabriela Jaquez drives toward the basket under strain from Texas ahead Breya Cunningham during their Final Four semifinal on Friday in Arizona.

(Ronaldo Bolanos/Los Angeles Times)

This sport started, appropriately enough, with Angela Dugalic blocking Aston Judd’s shot and then evident at her as the Longhorn lay in a heap.

“It’s such an amazing thing that we have another opportunity to play together,” said Dugalic. “One more day.”

This sport ended with Lauren Betts blocking Madison Booker’s layup attempt with 18 seconds remaining and Texas trailing by just three.

“Oh my God,” said Charlisse Leger-Walker. “Another Lauren Betts specialty.”

After the block, Betts screamed loud enough to be heard from the desert to Westwood. Soon thereafter, her teammates had been screaming with her.

“We knew it was going to be a tough, physical game and we knew we had to match that intensity,” said Kiki Rice.

Did they ever.

Defensively, they held Texas star Madison Booker to three baskets off 23 makes an attempt, including an unbelievable 17 straight misses at one level. Their Bruins’ strain was so intense, Texas took 21 more photographs and still misplaced by seven.

Offensively, 4 different gamers scored in double figures while that they had 13 assists on 18 baskets. Yeah, they dedicated 23 turnovers, the most in a Final Four sport in 18 years. But who’s counting?

“I want to apologize to all the fans for the rugby match,” said Bruins coach Cori Close.

No apology mandatory.

UCLA ahead Angela Dugalic blocks a layup attempt by Texas guard Ashton Judd during thier Final Four sport Friday in Phoenix.

(Ronaldo Bolanos/Los Angeles Times)

The Bruins dominated from the outset, holding Texas to a season-low six factors in the first quarter as the Longhorns made just three photographs. Hampered by their own errors, UCLA let Texas keep in the sport until scores by Betts, Rice and Jaquez widened the hole to 10 at the start of the fourth quarter.

Texas battled back to within one possession late, but Betts’ block sealed it for a crew that has come too far and endured an excessive amount of to be bothered by even the most livid of comeback makes an attempt. For the document, the mighty Texas crew led for all of 54 seconds.

“This is amazing,” said Betts.

There are gamers on this crew that have made 4 straight journeys to the Sweet 16 and consecutive journeys to the Final Four. South Carolina knocked the Bruins out during one of those tournaments. They’re nicely conscious it may simply occur again.

But strain moments Sunday afternoon with the basketball world watching? Bring it on.

“I think in those moments, we’re just so connected that regardless of what the score is, we could have been down 10, we still would have been as connected as if we were up 10,” said Betts, who missed only three of 10 photographs and had 11 rebounds. “I’m just really proud of this group. I think it shows the maturity. I know I can count on anybody on this team, regardless of what the score is. We’re going to continue to show up and compete.”

For one more sport. For one last time. For endlessly.