EUGENE, Ore. — JuJu Watkins delivered an impressive performance, leading the No. 6 ranked Southern California to a 66-53 victory over Oregon during their Big Ten opener on Saturday afternoon.

Watkins recorded 21 points, shooting 6 out of 15 from the field, including 3 of 9 from beyond the arc, and her efforts extended across 28 minutes of play before she fouled out. Kiki Iriafen made significant contributions as well, scoring 17 points while grabbing 12 rebounds for the Trojans, who now hold a record of 8-1 overall and 1-0 in Big Ten play.

On the opposing side, Deja Kelly was the standout for the Ducks, contributing 16 points, while Peyton Scott added another 13 to help Oregon, whose overall record is now 7-3 and 0-1 in the conference.

Oregon started strong, leading 13-12 at the end of the first quarter. However, Southern California quickly turned the momentum by scoring the first 18 points of the second quarter, which allowed them to seize control of the game. The Trojans stretched their lead to 40-19 by halftime, powered by 15 points from Watkins during this crucial period.

Scott initiated the third quarter with four consecutive points for the Ducks, but USC responded immediately with a five-point streak, maintaining a double-digit advantage for the remainder of the contest.

A pivotal moment in the game came when Kelly scored early on to briefly give Oregon the advantage before USC’s defense stifled the Ducks, rendering them scoreless for over five minutes while they went on an 18-point run. Watkins played a key role during this stretch, contributing seven points to the scoring surge.

In terms of statistics, USC dominated the boards, out-rebounding Oregon 45-31, which included 34 defensive rebounds. Throughout the season, the Trojans have shown a commanding presence on the glass, averaging nearly 12 more rebounds per game than their opponents.

Looking ahead, USC is set to host Fresno State on Tuesday evening, while Oregon will take on Air Force at home on December 17.