Women's NCAA title game 2026: South Carolina-UCLA live updates - ESPN

PHOENIX — It's South Carolina vs. UCLA — with a national championship on the line.

The two No. 1 seeds clash in the NCAA title game (live on ABC) in a matchup of powerhouse programs with plenty of experience that have spent this season in the spotlight. South Carolina is seeking its fourth NCAA title. UCLA is looking for its first.

ESPN's Andrea Adelson, Kareem Copeland, Charlie Creme, Alexa Philippou and Michael Voepel are coutside with live updates and analysis of the national championship game.

South Carolina's Tessa Johnson goes right into the UCLA defense for a tough and-1.

The Gamecocks advanced after snapping UConn's 54-game winning streak Friday, a victory defined by South Carolina's outstanding defensive game plan but largely overshadowed by sideline drama. At the end of the game, the teams' two legendary coaches, Geno Auriemma and Dawn Staley, got into a heated exchange.

In the late game, UCLA persevered over Texas 51-44. Senior Lauren Betts was a star on both ends of the court, recording 15 points and 10 rebounds on 70% field goal shooting. She added a critical block with 20 seconds left to keep the Bruins up three.

Which players might step up Sunday? What are the key matchups that will determine whether the Bruins or Gamecocks cut down the nets?

Copeland: Raven Johnson. The South Carolina defense needs to continue to play at an elite level to knock off the offensively prolific Bruins. Johnson allows coach Dawn Staley to play games with her defensive schemes, and Friday night was the perfect example. Johnson guarded 6-foot-2 AP National Player of the Year Sarah Strong for stretches, and the 5-foot-8 point guard held her ground and helped throw the UConn offense out of whack. Staley doesn't want UCLA to play