A TikTok dance, a Maori tribute and 1 new banner: UCLA’s title night at Pauley Pavilion

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lauren Betts and her UCLA teammates celebrated the Bruins' first NCAA women's basketball championship with their fans at Pauley Pavilion on Wednesday night.

“This team is going to go down in history,” Betts said. “We've earned it.”

Betts, Gabriela Jaquez and Charlisse Leger-Walker capped the party by hitting the court to perform their TikTok dance with the championship trophy in the background. Angela Dugalic made a snow angel in the blue-and-gold confetti littering the court.

“This group is so special,” Jaquez told the crowd that filled half the arena. “We're all best friends.”

Jaquez led a spirited eight-clap, the band blared the school fight song, and mascots Joe Bruin and Josie Bruin danced.

It's been a whirlwind for the Bruins since their 79-51 rout of South Carolina in the title game in Phoenix on Sunday. The game averaged 9.9 million viewers, the third most-viewed women's championship game since 1996.

Coach Cori Close recalled arriving in Westwood as head coach in 2011 and someone saying they didn't know if she could ever make Los Angeles care about women's basketball.

The crowd booed.

“Let me tell you,” she said. “L.A. cares about women's basketball now and you guys helped do that.”

Close received a standing ovation from her team and the crowd that chanted “Cori! Cori!”

“I want to say thank you to you," she said. ”It truly does take a village to go win a championship."

Eventually, a banner signifying the first NCAA women's basketball title will be raised to the ceiling in Pauley Pavilion, where currently the only women's basketball title banner is from the school's 1978 AIAW championship, the precursor to the NCAA.

“It’s getting some company. I can’t wait,” said Denise Curry, who starred for the Bruins on that team, along with Ann Meyers Drysdale.

Via video, Meyers Drysdale told the team, “This is your TLC moment — your team, your legacy, your championship.”

John Wooden's single gold seat in a sea of blue ones sat empty behind the Bruins bench. He coached the men's teams to 10 national titles, including seven in a row, and was a mentor to Close before his death in 2010.

Now, Close's title run will be represented in the same rarified air as Wooden.

“It's such a symbol of something that’s really made a difference in my life,” she said.

Wooden's son Jim texted congratulations to Close. Wooden's great-granddaughter Cori Anderson sent a photo of her and her daughter dressed in UCLA gear.

“They've been incredibly gracious to me,” Close said.

The team's six seniors took the stage in front of a mix of adults and young kids.

“We could not have done it without you,” Jaquez said. “I want to shout out all the little kids who gave us friendship bracelets, cookies and notes.”

A group of young men from the Tamaki Basketball Academy in Auckland, New Zealand, performed a traditional Maori dance signifying respect and honor for Leger-Walker, who wrapped herself in her native country's flag. The group flew into Los Angeles just to perform at the celebration.

"I’m the first New Zealand women’s basketball player to ever win a national title, so that’s been kind of the talk of the town,” she said before the party. “It's huge for the kids back home to see that this is possible for them, too.”

The Bruins headed to the Clippers game against Oklahoma City afterward. They've already visited the Lakers ("LeBron waved at me," Betts said) and Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show. Next week, they'll be at a Dodgers game.

“I did wake up this morning after a couple more hours of sleep and I'm like, ‘Wow, this is real. I did wake up again and I’m still a national champion,'" Leger-Walker said, laughing.

Betts was wearing a backward championship cap with a piece of the net tucked in front.

“This is my net, man,” she said. "No one can take this from me. It's mine forever."

AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball

UCLA head coach Cori Close celebrates after cutting down the net after UCLA defeated South Carolina in the women's National Championship Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament game, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

UCLA players pose with the WBCA Coaches' Trophy after defeating South Carolina in the women's National Championship Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament game, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

UCLA head coach Cori Close celebrates with the net after UCLA defeated South Carolina in the women's National Championship Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament game, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

UCLA center Lauren Betts (51) celebrates after cutting down a piece of the net after UCLA defeated South Carolina in the women's National Championship Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament game, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Davey Lopes, a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers' record-setting infield of the 1970s and '80s and one of baseball's premier base stealers, died Wednesday. He was 80.

The Dodgers were informed of his death by his former wife, Lin Lopes. She told the team Lopes had Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and died at a hospital in his hometown of East Providence, Rhode Island.

Lopes was a four-time All-Star during his 10 years with the Dodgers. He played in four World Series, winning the 1981 championship. He holds the franchise record for most games played at second base with 1,134. His 1,145 games batting leadoff are second in the organization's history to Maury Wills (1,279).

Lopes was 27 years old when he made his MLB debut on Sept. 22, 1972.

The next season, Steve Garvey, Bill Russell, Ron Cey and Lopes began the first of 8 1/2 consecutive years starting together in the infield.

Lopes established himself as one of the most prolific base stealers in baseball. He stole 418 bases as a Dodger, the second-highest career total in franchise history behind Wills (490). Lopes holds the franchise record with an 83.1% career success rate (minimum 100 steals).

On Aug. 4, 1974, Lopes became the first Dodger since Wills to steal four bases in a game, and 20 days later, he tied the NL record with five steals against the Cardinals. In 1975, Lopes recorded a then-MLB record 28 consecutive steals without being caught.

He led the majors in 1975 with 77 steals and the National League in 1976 with 63. In 1978, he stole 45 bases in 49 attempts.

In 1978, Lopes had the best World Series of his career, starting with two home runs in Game 1 against the New York Yankees. He also won a Gold Glove that season.

After leaving the Dodgers, he played for the Oakland Athletics (1982-84), Chicago Cubs (1984-86) and Houston Astros (1986-87). He stole 557 career bases — 26th in MLB history — while hitting .263 in 1,812 regular-season games with 155 home runs, 614 RBI, 232 doubles and 50 triples.

“He was one of the greatest competitors I had the privilege to play with in Chicago, and against when he was with the Dodgers. RIP my friend,” five-time All-Star shortstop Larry Bowa posted on X.

After his playing days, Lopes managed the Milwaukee Brewers from 2000-02. He coached with the Orioles, Padres, Nationals, Phillies and Dodgers.

He won a second World Series as the Phillies’ first-base coach.

Ruben Amaro Jr., an assistant general manager on that 2008 title team, posted on X: “Davey Lopes, the best base stealing coach we've ever had. And a great base stealer in his own right. So sad to hear of his passing. Thank you, Davey, for bringing joy to all of us. RIP.”

Lopes returned to the Dodgers as the baserunning and first-base coach from 2011-15. He spent his final two seasons in the majors as the Nationals first-base coach from 2016-17.

Lopes is survived by his brothers, Patrick and John, and sisters, Jean, Judith, Mary and Nina.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Davey Lopes smiles and laughs in the team's clubhouse after Game 1 of baseball's World Series against the New York Yankees, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 1978, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/File)

Los Angeles Dodgers Davey Lopes (15) signals to the crowd as he heads to the dugout on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 1978 in Los Angeles after hitting his second two-run home in the first game of the World Series. Youngster at right is Reggie Smith Jr. (AP Photo)

FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Davey Lopes goes flying after forcing out Philadelphias Phillies Bake McBride in the front end of a double play hit into by Philadelphia's larry Bowa in the first inning of a baseball game, Oct. 4, 1977, in Los Angeles.. (AP Photo/File)

FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers coach Davey Lopes gestures in the dugout during a baseball game in Miami, Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter, File)

FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers' Davey Lopes hits a home run during an NL playoff baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Thursday, Oct. 5, 1977, Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy, File)