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As the final buzzer sounded and the reality of No. 5 UCLA’s 77-62 upset of No. 1 South Carolina sunk in, Bruin players celebrated.

They jumped up and down with students, they hugged player alumni, and they grabbed on to each other. The win – their first over a No. 1 in program history – snapped the defending champion’s 43-game winning streak, broke a 0-20 drought against them, and gave the Gamecocks their largest loss since March, 2019.

But afterwards, UCLA coach Cori Close said she and her team were taking the wire-to-wire win in stride.

“We expected to win,” she said. “It begins before it begins; it starts way before the tip happens, and there was never a doubt. We prepared like we expected to win. I’m really proud of the commitment to preparation that we made.”

The Bruins took command from the tip on both sides of the court, hitting shots while taking South Carolina out of rhythm with stifling defense. As they ran out to a 15-2 lead, the visitors had missed 11 of 12 shots and turned the ball over four times.

In the next frame point guard Kiki Rice, who the team calls their emotional leader, made a statement when she anticipated a pass, stole the ball and went coast-to-coast for a layup, and also was fouled. UCLA lead 43-22 at halftime, and padded their advantage to as much as 23 points in the fourth quarter before making player substitutions in the game’s final minutes.

Londynn Jones lead the Bruins with 15 points – all from three-pointers. Freshman Elina Aarinsalo put up 13 points, while center Lauren Betts had 11 points, 14 rebounds and 4 blocks. Rice, in her second game back from injury, finished with 11 points, as did Gabriela Jaquez.

Te-Hina Paopao and Tessa Johnson were the only two Gamecocks in double figures, with 18 and 14 points, respectively.

South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said her team didn’t adjust to their opponents’ dominance on both sides of the floor, and their shot selection was shaky.

“This is what we usually do to teams, and it doesn’t feel good to be on the receiving end of it, but we know we got beat by a great team,” Staley said. “That was beautiful basketball, on both sides. They were fluid and they wanted it. Our kids fought, but we ran into a buzz saw today.”

Close, who in her 14^th season in Westwood, said the strategy was to force their opponents into half-court offense, because they make almost a third of their points in transition.

“We forced them into difficult shots,” she said.

What is working for UCLA players this year is their work ethic, and their selflessness, according to their coach.

“We’ve got people making big plays. Everyone had a moment,” Close said. “We’re versatile and have a lot of weapons, but we have selflessness and work ethic. I’ve never had a team that works extra more than this team.”

Betts said the team has an “all-in” mentality.

“Everyone’s ready to go when their name is called,” she said. “We all want the same thing at the end of the day, and it doesn’t matter who’s scoring the most points.”

The 5-0 Bruins have sat in the 5^th spot in the rankings this month, with a deep and talented roster. Betts said in a post-game interview after the upset that people who have been “sleeping on UCLA need to stop it right now.”

Close said she is alright with being underrated.

“Honestly I’m like, ‘sleep away.’ If you fall in love with what other people define you as, you lose opportunities to get better,” Close said. “For me I’m like, put your phones away and define your next step. I’m not downplaying their accomplishments, but I’m putting it in its proper context.”

“Is this all you came to do? Let this win inform your next choice.”

The Bruins head to Hawaii next, where they’ll take on UT Martin Friday. The Gamecocks travel to Florida to face No. 15 Iowa State.