PHOENIX—It’s mission accomplished for UCLA.
Gabriela Jaquez, Lauren Betts and the rest of the UCLA seniors secured the first NCAA women’s basketball national championship in school history—a goal that was set after losing in the first Final Four last season.
Jaquez scored 21 points, Betts added 16 and UCLA routed South Carolina 79–51 Sunday in the title game.
“I knew we were going to do it. Coming to UCLA we all set out for a goal, and I imagined this moment,” Jaquez said. “I imagined it so many times, and I am just so, so proud. … Crying a lot, the confetti, all of the fans being here to support us, my family being here, it just means everything. Celebrating with this group, like … I’m so happy.”…