Los Angeles witnessed an unforgettable display of talent as JuJu Watkins emerged from a recent scoring slump to deliver an impressive 38 points, leading the sixth-ranked Southern California Trojans to a 71-60 victory over the top-ranked UCLA Bruins. This win marked a significant milestone for USC, being their first triumph against a No. 1 team since 1983, and it reflected Watkins’ aspirations to elevate the program back to its former heights.
The historic matchup drew key figures from the Trojans’ golden era of the early 1980s, including Hall of Famers Cheryl Miller and Tina Thompson, who added to the electric atmosphere among the enthusiastic crowd of 10,258 fans. At the pregame warmups, DJ Mal-Ski aptly set the tone, declaring to the packed arena, “Gonna be one of those nights.”
The game kicked off in thrilling fashion, with Watkins quickly finding her rhythm as her sister, Mali, sang the national anthem. In the opening minutes, she scored eight points in just five minutes, setting the stage for a strong start as the Trojans took command over the Bruins. UCLA coach Cori Close remarked on Watkins’ explosive performance, noting, “JuJu got hot off the bounce and she got in a rhythm.”
Despite a challenging second quarter where Watkins accounted for all of USC’s points, the star player halted UCLA’s momentum with a pivotal 3-pointer that kept her team in the lead at halftime, 38-35. Her performance just missed matching her season-best of 40 points, scored in December against California Baptist.
Fans demonstrated their support during the game, with one young admirer holding a sign reading, “I wear #12 to be like JuJu.” The audience was a vibrant mix of individuals from various backgrounds, echoing Watkins’ ability to unite and attract supporters from her hometown of Watts.
The event also welcomed a variety of celebrity attendees, including Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, along with actors Kevin Hart and Issa Rae. Observing the star-studded gathering, Watkins expressed her gratitude, saying, “When you have people like that show up you can’t disappoint. I’m really just like a kid out there and just living out my dreams.”
Watkins had experienced a tough patch prior to this game, struggling with her shooting, having connected on only 12 out of 45 attempts in her last two home games. She acknowledged her difficulties, stating, “It has been a tough couple of weeks for me,” but also conveyed an important takeaway: “There’s a lesson in everything and I think that is to always stay joyful on the court.”
In this spirited performance, Watkins showcased her skills with a remarkable shooting stat of 6 of 9 from beyond the arc, along with 8 of 10 at the free-throw line, collecting 11 rebounds, eight blocks, and five assists. She humorously remarked, “I didn’t plan on having that many blocks but that’s what we needed to win.”
With her unwavering focus, Watkins began the game strong by winning the opening tip-off. Despite a missed shot initially, she quickly found her groove, sinking three 3-pointers in the first quarter alone. USC’s coach Lindsay Gottlieb commended Watkins for her perseverance amid scrutiny, stating, “JuJu’s just heroic shot-making and effort and intensity, especially coming with the million questions she gets when it’s not perfect out there.”
As the game neared its conclusion, the USC fans rose to their feet, creating an electrifying atmosphere that continues to grow as Watkins progresses in her second year. The presence of other notable figures, such as NFL rookie of the year Jayden Daniels and LA Sparks players Kelsey Plum and Dearica Hamby, along with Vanessa Bryant and her daughter Natalia, further highlighted the support surrounding her.
“This is a historic Galen (Center) performance,” coach Gottlieb declared proudly, underlining the significance of the night for both the player and the program.
