WOMEN’S BASKETBALL — 2024-25
USC vs. UCLA — as it happened
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📌 PINNED
Henry Mode & Leila MacKenzie from Galen Center; photos by Braden Dawson
The Trojans host undefeated UCLA at Galen Center.
Despite the rain, No. 6 USC will play before a sold-out crowd for the second consecutive crosstown showdown. Last season, the Trojans and No. 1 UCLA split their regular season meetings, with each winning on their home court.
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9:04 p.m.
This one is over. USC pulls out a statement win, beating No. 1 UCLA 71-60, the Trojans’ first win over the nation’s top-ranked team since 1983. Watkins finishes with an unbelievable 38 points, 11 rebounds, eight blocks and five assists, and Iriafen came up big with eight points late to close out the Bruins.
8:57 p.m.
The defensive intensity from the Trojans, particularly freshman guard Kennedy Smith, has been just unreal down the stretch. 67-57 USC with just over two minutes to go after an and-one from Iriafen.
8:44 p.m.
Unbelievable. Watkins gets back-to-back tough shots to go, and USC is back in front 53-52. 34 for Watkins, and this building is as loud as it’s been all night.
8:44 p.m.
Unbelievable. Watkins gets back-to-back tough shots to go, and USC is back in front 53-52. 34 for Watkins, and this building is as loud as it’s been all night.
8:41 p.m.
It’s a Watkins block party at Galen. She has three swats in UCLA’s last two offensive possessions, and six for the game. The superstar sophomore has absolutely brought it tonight on both ends.
8:37 p.m.
52-47 UCLA with ten minutes to go at Galen. The Trojans made some effective defensive adjustments toward the end of the quarter, immediately sending help every time Betts got the ball in the post. It worked well, but they couldn’t quite capitalize on offense and the deficit remains five heading into the fourth quarter.
8:14 p.m.
The lead is 49-43 for UCLA. A Watkins and-one cut into it, but Jones responded immediately. If USC is going to win this game, it’s going to need more from graduate forward Kiki Iriafen, who has just four points and is 1-8 from the field.
8:14 p.m.
Betts — pretty good. She starts the half with a personal 7-0 run, which a triple from Jones turns into a 10-0 run, and just like that the Bruins are ahead 45-38.
8:14 p.m.
Betts — pretty good. She starts the half with a personal 7-0 run, which a triple from Jones turns into a 10-0 run, and just like that the Bruins are ahead 45-38.
7:51 p.m.
Halftime after a huge sequence for USC to grab the momentum back. After a 10-0 run for UCLA tied the game in a flash, Watkins stormed down the court and immediately hit her sixth three-pointer of the first half to put the Trojans back in front. Then, Watkins and Marshall double-teamed Betts in the post, stripping the ball and forcing a shot clock violation. 38-35 Trojans after a thrilling first half at Galen.
7:47 p.m.
35-33 USC with 1:22 to go in the first half after a 8-0 Bruin run. UCLA is finally starting to get stops and junior guard Londynn Jones is starting to heat up.
7:35 p.m.
Watkins is shooting 63.6% from the field and is 5-6 from behind the arc. So far, she has single-handedly outscored UCLA.
7:30 p.m.
It’s certainly a rainy day in Los Angeles. Watkins dropped her fourth triple of the night and USC regained its double-digit lead.
7:19 p.m.
The diaphragms are going to work tonight. Galen Center is swelling with sound as USC has doubled UCLA’s scoring output, it leads 20-10.
7:17 p.m.
The Trojans were +6 when senior center Clarice Akunwafo subbed in for senior center Rayah Marshall at the 7:21 minute mark. She gathered a rebound and steal in her four minutes on the floor.
7:11 p.m.
Watkins’ eight consecutive points forced the Bruins to take their first time out as USC leads 11-8.
7:04 p.m.
Graduate guard Talia von Oelhoffen strikes first from downtown. The triple capitalized off a Watkins block on the opposite end of the floor. USC is up 3-0.
6:56 p.m.
Sophomore guard JuJu Watkins’ sister Mali Nicole sings the national anthem before a sold-out Galen Center.
6:55 p.m.
Five minutes to tip at Galen Center. Here are the starting lineups:
USC:
G Talia von Oelhoffen
G JuJu Watkins
G Kennedy Smith
F Kiki Iriafen
F Rayah Marshall
UCLA
G Kiki Rice
G Londynn Jones
F Gabriela Jaquez
F Angela Dugalic
C Lauren Betts
