Grandview High School graduate Lauren Betts can add NCAA champion to her already long list of accolades.

The UCLA senior had a double-double in the Bruins’ 79-51 win Sunday over South Carolina in the NCAA women’s basketball championship game in Phoenix.

The title is UCLA’s first since winning the 1978 AIAW championship, which was the postseason tournament for women’s basketball before the NCAA took over in 1982.

The near-record lopsided victory completed the Bruins’ journey through this year’s March Madness that started following a loss to UConn in last season’s Final Four. The Bruins ran through their opponents this season with their only loss coming to Texas in a Thanksgiving tournament.

“It’s immeasurably more than I could ask or imagine,” UCLA coach Cori Close said. “It’s beyond my wildest dreams.”

UCLA (37-1) was led by Big Ten Player of the Year Betts and her fellow seniors and graduate students, like Gabriela Jaquez, who played all four years with the Bruins. She had 21 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in front of her brother Jaime, who plays for the Miami Heat and flew in to attend the game to watch his alma mater win.

“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.”

Like their 51-44 semifinal win over Texas, the Bruins were locked in defensively, anchored by Betts. She finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds and exited the game with 3:45 left, giving Close a huge hug. The 6-foot-7 senior earned Most Outstanding Player honors of the Final Four.

Betts, who is a two-time college All-American, was dominant during her Colorado high school career. She led Grandview to the Class 5A state title during her senior season in 2022. She won back-to-back Colorado Gatorade Player of the Year honors and played in the McDonald’s All-American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic.

The former No. 1 high school recruit in the country was part of a balanced attack for the Bruins in which all five starters score in double figures.

Her sister Sienna, a freshman this season at UCLA, played seven minutes with four rebounds but didn’t score. She was a three-time Colorado Gatorade Player of the Year and led Grandview to the state title in 2023.

“I can’t even put it into words. Having your family on the team is something a lot of people don’t get to experience,” Lauren Betts told ESPN after the game about playing with her sister. “I’m so grateful for her and she’s made this season the best season I have ever experienced.

“I’m just so happy for her and our family.”

Tessa Johnson scored 14 points and Agot Makeer added 11 for the Gamecocks.

South Carolina avoided the most lopsided loss in championship history of 33 points, set in 2013 when UConn defeated Louisville. The Gamecocks also avoided matching the title game record low of 44 points by Louisiana Tech in 1987 against Tennessee.

“UCLA is a quality team with very experienced players who got a taste of being in the Final Four last year, and you make adjustments,” South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said. “From last year to this year — they played determined last year, but they played more determined this year because they were so close.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.