HC Cori Close has a humble reaction to making UCLA history: "Only reason that's really meaningful to me"

Cori Close made history on Saturday by becoming the winningest coach in UCLA women’s basketball history. Her Bruins dominated Long Beach State, securing a 102-51 victory at the Walter Pyramid. This triumph marked Close’s 297th win in her 14 years at UCLA, surpassing the record held by the legendary Billie Moore.

Moore, who led the Bruins from 1977 to 1993, left a lasting legacy before her passing in 2022 after battling multiple myeloma.

Reflecting on her milestone, Close expressed deep gratitude during the post-game conference on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024.

“I was just telling the staff... obviously, number one, it’s the staff,” Close emphasized on the collective effort behind the achievement.

The UCLA HC acknowledged Moore’s foundational work for UCLA basketball and highlighted the contributions of long-time staff member Pam Walker, who has been with the program for over three decades.

“The only reason this is meaningful to me is for all the people that have been so loyal and faithful and believed in our mission. So, I just want to humbly say thank you to them,” she concluded.

Close’s tenure has been transformative for UCLA women’s basketball. Since taking the helm in 2011, she has led the program to eight NCAA tournament appearances, including a run to the Elite Eight in 2018. Her leadership also brought a Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) championship to UCLA in 2015.

Currently, the Bruins are ranked No. 1 in the AP Top 25 rankings. The victory over Long Beach State solidified Close’s place in history and her team’s dominance this season, for the national championship.

From the opening tip, UCLA controlled the game by racing to a 28-8 lead by the end of the first quarter. Their dominance continued throughout the game, with standout performances from players like Angela Dugalic and Lauren Betts.

Dugalic, shot a 7-for-7 from the field by halftime, finishing the game with 22 points. She scored a deep three-pointer from the top of the key late in the second quarter. After the game, Dugalic credited her efficiency to the coaching staff, singling out assistant coach Soh Matsuura for helping her refine her game.

Cori Close honored Billie Moore’s legacy

Cori Close's historic achievement comes with a deep sense of respect for those who paved the way, particularly Billie Moore. As a pioneer in women’s basketball, Moore’s influence extended far beyond UCLA. She became the first coach of the U.S. women’s Olympic basketball team in 1976, setting the stage for the growth of the sport on a global scale.

During a media session on Friday, Close reflected on her early memories of Moore’s impact.

"I remember specifically I was playing at UC Santa Barbara, and we were driving down to UCLA to play against a really good Billie Moore team," Close shared. "And I remember thinking, 'Wow, she’s it.'"

Now occupying the same role Moore once held, Close feels a profound responsibility to honor her predecessor’s legacy.

"It’s with great humility that I have a chance to even coach in the same place, to be talked about in the same language," she said. "It gives me a chance to say thank you, Billie – wherever you are. I hope you’re looking down, and we are representing your sacrifice because she did so much for the sport."

One of the many voices celebrating Close’s milestone win was Nina Westbrook, a former UCLA player and the wife of NBA star Russell Westbrook. Taking to social media, Nina expressed her admiration for Close’s accomplishment, joining the broader UCLA community in recognizing the coach’s historic achievement.