LOS ANGELES — JuJu Watkins delivered an impressive performance, scoring 38 points, as the sixth-ranked Southern California Trojans triumphed over the top-ranked UCLA Bruins with a score of 71-60 on Thursday night. This victory marked the end of the Bruins’ unbeaten streak this season.
After a challenging third quarter where the Trojans managed only nine points and trailed 52-47, they rallied spectacularly in the fourth quarter. Kiki Iriafen contributed an additional 13 points for USC (22-2, 12-2 Big Ten), achieving a historic win as it was the program’s first victory against a top-ranked opponent since 1983.
On the Bruins’ side, Lauren Betts, who ranks second in the Big Ten in scoring behind Watkins, recorded 18 points alongside 13 rebounds. The Bruins came into the game as the last unbeaten team in Division I basketball.
USC dominated the final quarter, outscoring UCLA 24-8, including an impressive 11-2 stretch that concluded the game, evoking cheers from the enthusiastic crowd at Galen Center.
The Trojans initially held a 14-point lead in the second quarter, thanks solely to Watkins’s scoring. However, they faced a tough challenge as the Bruins took the lead in the third, with a scoring advantage of 17-9 during that period. Despite falling behind, USC made a remarkable comeback in the fourth quarter.
Takeaways from the game include the Bruins’ struggles in the fourth quarter, as they missed their first eight attempts and finished the period with only one successful shot out of 14. On the other hand, USC’s Watkins and Iriafen, who had a difficult start, found their rhythm and combined for 17 points in the final quarter.
A pivotal moment came when Watkins intercepted the ball and converted it into a layup, which allowed the Trojans to reclaim the lead for the first time since the halftime break.
A critical statistic from the game showed that UCLA recorded 20 turnovers, which the Trojans capitalized on to score 21 points.
Looking ahead, UCLA is set to take on No. 22 Michigan State at home on Sunday, while USC will travel to face Washington the same day.
