In front of a sold-out crowd at the Galen Center, sophomore phenom JuJu Watkins made history and led No. 6 USC to a thrilling 71-60 upset over top-ranked UCLA on Thursday night. The performance capped off an unforgettable game for Watkins, who delivered one of the best individual seasons in recent memory.
Watkins’ incredible display featured 38 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, and a game-changing 8 blocked shots, cementing her place as the first Division I player to achieve this feat in over two decades. Her dominating performance saw her score in unstoppable waves throughout the game, with three-pointers in the second quarter proving particularly decisive.
USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb praised Watkins’ mentality, saying she “comes out with a mentality that is just incredible.” UCLA’s Cori Close echoed similar sentiments, describing Watkins as “really active” and someone who “anticipates” her opponents’ moves. The Trojans’ senior center Clarice Akunwafo also spoke highly of Watkins, calling her “amazing.”
Watkins’ defensive prowess was instrumental in the win, as she made crucial blocks and steals throughout the game. In a pivotal moment with six minutes left, Watkins led a fast break that resulted in a three-point play, effectively sealing the victory.
As the buzzer sounded, Watkins celebrated with the USC faithful before taking time to mingle with fans and sign autographs. The win propelled the Trojans into first place in the Big Ten Conference standings, setting up a crucial March 1 rematch between the teams at UCLA’s venue.
The triumph marked another milestone for Watkins, as she reached 1,500 career points while leading USC to an 11-point victory. With her star-studded performance, Watkins solidified her status as one of college basketball’s top talents and cemented the Trojans’ position in conference standings.
Source: https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/43837089/juju-watkins-dazzles-usc-rallies-stun-top-ranked-ucla