JuJu Watkins and No. 4 USC crush No. 2 UCLA to claim Big Ten title
A dominant performance by the sophomore guard and her teammates secured the conference crown for the Trojans
Roars rained down from each corner of Pauley Pavilion, every soul in the hallowed hoops arena knowing full well the outcome of the crosstown showdown and the conference title that came with it rested squarely on her shoulders. Some in cardinal and gold waited for deliverance, as if it was assured for USC. Others in light blue prayed for divine intervention, understanding little else could save UCLA.
The feeling — of a whole arena hanging on her every move — is so familiar to JuJu Watkins. When she airballed a third-quarter jumper, the superstar sophomore could only smile as the crowd let her hear it, reminding her every time she touched the ball.
The truth, she knew, was their jeers could only fuel her fire. She has survived her share of crucibles already at USC. But never before in her two sensational seasons here had a conference title come attached.
A 31-year drought ends
It had been 31 years, in fact, since USC had earned a regular-season conference crown. That title, in 1994, arrived more than a decade before Watkins was born.
A dominant performance by JuJu Watkins
Decades from now, this title, USC’s first in the Big Ten, will be remembered for Watkins’ imprint on it. After a 38-point performance in these teams’ memorable first meeting, Watkins poured in 30 more Saturday night, as No. 4 USC crushed No. 2 UCLA 80-67 on its way to a conference championship.
It took more than just Watkins to reach these heights. Kiki Iriafen bounced back from early foul trouble to score 17 points, 15 in the second half. Avery Howell hit two backbreaking three-pointers late. And Rayah Marshall was the glue that bound it all together on offense, with six points, six rebounds, and five assists. All of them, in their own ways, had been essential to a sparkling 27-2 season.
“We needed everybody,” coach Lindsay Gottlieb reiterated.
A dominating performance in the paint
But it was Watkins whom the whole arena rightfully honed in on, begging her to make a misstep that might open the door. She had scored 30 or more points three times against the Bruins, after all, the last an especially stellar showcase a little more than two weeks ago.
“I think I’d be remiss to say that playing UCLA doesn’t motivate me extra,” Watkins said.
USC guard JuJu Watkins, left, celebrates with teammates during a win over UCLA at Pauley Pavilion on Saturday night.
(Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
A dominant performance in the paint continues
The chaotic cacophony of the fans reached a crescendo late in the third quarter with Watkins on the foul line. Pummeled as she soared toward contact in the paint, Watkins hobbled to the stripe and missed two free throws.
The crowd, which Watkins later called “unbelievable,” exploded with anticipation. UCLA had whittled USC’s lead to four points. Now was the time to strike. Kiki Rice, who led all Bruins scorers with 16, let a three-pointer fly, hoping to capitalize.
It clanked away. And from there, USC simply couldn’t be stopped.
A dominant performance in the paint concludes
“USC, they were tougher and more disciplined and they did their jobs,” UCLA coach Cori Close said. “We weren’t as tough and we didn’t do our jobs.”
That toughness was especially clear in the paint, where the Trojans once again stifled UCLA star Lauren Betts, who entered their two-game series as a favorite for player of the year. USC blunted her impact in the first game and was even better this time, holding Betts to a measly 11 points.
Fighting through contact, she shot just 10 for 24 across two games against the Trojans. On Saturday she committed three traveling violations, her frustration building with each whistle.
“We can throw multiple bodies at her,” Gottlieb said. “And then we also have the athleticism to say we want to make her touches tough but not give up wide-open threes.”
Indeed, those wide-open threes never came for UCLA. Watkins was the only one to unleash a torrent from deep, hitting four in the first half alone — one fewer than the Bruins had in the game.
Conclusion
When Watkins checked out and the celebration started, she skipped over within view of the UCLA student section. She held up four fingers, only to slam them down, offering her own reminder that this was her moment, USC’s moment.
At midcourt, in front of a hostile crowd, the Trojans first lifted their coach — then their Big Ten trophy, the second for the school in the new conference. But the real joy didn’t come out until they were in the locker room, where they danced, splashed water from bottles, and threw confetti.
It was just the sort of scene Gottlieb dreamed of when she first took the job four years ago. That job, she says, isn’t done yet. The Big Ten tournament — and a No. 1 seed in the Big Dance — awaits.
FAQs
Q: What was the outcome of the crosstown showdown between USC and UCLA?
A: No. 4 USC crushed No. 2 UCLA 80-67, securing the Big Ten title.
Q: How did JuJu Watkins perform in the game?
A: She poured in 30 points, adding to her impressive performance in the first meeting between the teams.
Q: What was the key to USC’s success in the paint?
A: The Trojans’ ability to stifle UCLA star Lauren Betts and make her touches tough but not give up wide-open threes was crucial to their victory.
Q: What’s next for USC?
A: The Big Ten tournament and a potential No. 1 seed in the Big Dance await the Trojans, who are looking to continue their impressive season.
