UCLA Stuns No. 1 South Carolina, Snaps 43-Game Winning Streak
LOS ANGELES — Talk about making history! The UCLA Bruins women’s basketball team pulled off a jaw-dropping upset on Sunday, taking down the top-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks in a commanding 77-62 victory. This wasn’t just any win—it was a monumental moment for the Bruins, who had never beaten a No. 1 team in school history. Yes, you read that right: UCLA was 0-20 in such games before this electrifying performance.
Leading the charge for the Bruins was Londynn Jones, who was absolutely on fire. Jones dropped 15 points, and here’s the kicker—she nailed all five of her 3-point attempts. Talk about clutch shooting! But she wasn’t the only one lighting it up. Elina Aarnisalo added 13 points, and the Bruins had five players scoring in double figures. It was a true team effort that left the Gamecocks reeling.
South Carolina’s Streaks Come to a Screeching Halt
For South Carolina, this loss was a bitter pill to swallow. The Gamecocks came into the game riding high on a 43-game winning streak, a run that stretched all the way back to April 2023. That’s when Caitlin Clark and Iowa handed them their last loss in the NCAA Tournament national semifinals. To make matters worse, their 33-game road winning streak—one of the longest in Division I history—was also snapped. Ouch.
Despite the loss, South Carolina had some standout performances. Te-Hina Paopao led the way with 18 points, while Tessa Johnson chipped in 14. But even with their stars showing up, the Gamecocks couldn’t overcome UCLA’s suffocating defense and relentless energy.
Bruins Make History
Let’s take a moment to appreciate just how big this win was for UCLA. Before Sunday, the Bruins’ best victories were against No. 2-ranked teams—Oregon in 2019 and Stanford in 2008. But beating the No. 1 team in the nation? That’s a whole new level of achievement. And they didn’t just squeak by; they dominated from start to finish.
UCLA’s defense was the real MVP of the game. The Bruins completely shut down South Carolina’s offense, preventing the Gamecocks from making any sustained scoring runs. In fact, South Carolina trailed by double digits at halftime—a rare sight for a team of their caliber. According to ESPN Research, the last time the Gamecocks faced such a deficit at the break was back in December 2021 against Stanford. That’s nearly three years of dominance undone in one night by UCLA.
Key Takeaways from the Game
Here are some of the most eye-popping stats and moments from this historic matchup:
- Londynn Jones: Perfect from beyond the arc, hitting all five of her 3-point attempts.
- South Carolina’s Streaks: A 43-game overall winning streak and a 33-game road winning streak both came to an end.
- UCLA’s Defense: The Bruins held the Gamecocks to just 62 points, a testament to their stifling defensive effort.
- Team Effort: Five Bruins scored in double figures, showcasing their depth and balance.
What’s Next?
For UCLA, this win is a massive confidence booster as they look to build on their undefeated 5-0 start to the season. The Bruins have officially put the rest of the women’s college basketball world on notice: they’re here to compete with the best of the best.
As for South Carolina, this loss will undoubtedly sting, but don’t expect them to stay down for long. The Gamecocks are still one of the most talented teams in the country, and you can bet they’ll use this defeat as motivation moving forward. After all, champions are defined not by how they win, but by how they bounce back from adversity.
One thing’s for sure: this game will be talked about for a long time. It’s not every day you see a No. 1 team go down, especially in such decisive fashion. UCLA’s victory is a reminder of why we love sports—because on any given day, anything can happen.
Originally Written by: Associated Press
