On Sunday evening, JuJu Watkins delivered an outstanding performance with 23 points and 14 rebounds, steering No. 4 USC to a decisive 92-42 victory over Rutgers. This defeat marked the most significant home loss in the history of the Scarlet Knights.

The game took a turn for the worse for Rutgers as they played without their standout freshman guard, Kiyomi McMiller, who was not present due to a decision made by Coach Coquese Washington. McMiller has been a crucial player for the team, averaging 19.9 points per game this season.

The absence of McMiller proved detrimental as Rutgers struggled to find their rhythm on offense. The team missed their first eight attempts from the field before Destiny Adams managed to hit a basket to narrow the gap to 10-3.

USC, on the other hand, quickly took charge, ending the first quarter with a 22-8 lead and enlarging it to 37-14 at halftime. The Trojans dominated the third quarter by scoring the initial 12 points, leaving Rutgers (8-7, 0-4) unable to make a comeback, never getting closer than 30 points for the remainder of the game.

As the fourth quarter progressed, the main suspense was whether USC could surpass their previous margin of victory of 54 points set during a 2023 game against Iowa, which held the record for the worst loss in Rutgers’ history. Watkins concluded her game with a 49-point lead before exiting with 3:50 remaining, allowing Rutgers to accumulate points and avoid setting that unwanted record.

Highlights from the Game:

For USC: The Trojans faced minimal challenges throughout the match, which allowed them to allocate more playing time to their bench players.

For Rutgers: The struggle without McMiller indicates potential difficulties ahead for the Scarlet Knights as long as their key player remains sidelined.

Fan Interaction: One of the few moments of excitement for Rutgers supporters came during halftime when Frisbee-catching dogs showcased their tricks, eliciting loud cheers from the crowd.

Noteworthy Statistic: USC dominated the fast break points, outscoring Rutgers an impressive 37-6.

Next Matches: Looking ahead, USC will travel to face off against the undefeated No. 8 Maryland on Wednesday, while Rutgers is set to visit Minnesota on the same day.