UCLA capped a dominant Big Ten run on Sunday, as the No. 2 Bruins thrashed No. 9 Iowa 96-45 to secure back-to-back Big Ten women's basketball tournament titles — and continue a 24-game conference unbeaten streak.
The 51-point win marked the largest margin of victory in Big Ten tournament final history, with guard Gianna Kneepkens's 19 points leading the six UCLA players who reached double-digit scoring in the matchup — including 15 points from tournament MVP Kiki Rice.
"For us to come out the way we did, it means a lot because we're doing it against really good teams," said Bruins head coach Cori Close.
Carrying the fourth-strongest Division I schedule alongside 18 Quad 1 wins, UCLA is making a case for the 2026 NCAA tournament's overall No. 1 seed ahead of Selection Sunday.
That said, the Bruins' toughest competition for that top spot is No. 1 UConn, with the defending national champion Huskies topping the NET rankings without a single loss in 2025/26 NCAA play — albeit in the weaker Big East conference.
"I don't really care," Close said about NCAA seeding. "When you focus on things out of your control, it will adversely affect the things under your control."
What's Next for UCLA Women's Basketball
UCLA will learn their national tournament path when the NCAA committee reveals the 2026 March Madness bracket this weekend.
Live coverage of the Selection Sunday bracket drop will begin at 8 PM ET on ESPN.
