WOMEN’S BASKETBALL — 2024-25
USC at UCLA — as it happened
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📌 PINNED
Henry Mode from Pauley Pavilion; photos by Ethan Thai
The regular season Big Ten title will be decided in Westwood tonight.
No. 4 USC is gearing up for round two with No. 3 UCLA — this time in enemy territory. If the Trojans can pull out a victory on the road, they will take home the Big Ten crown in their inaugural season and all but wrap up a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
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8:15 p.m.
This one is over. The Trojans win 80-67, sweep UCLA and clinch the Big Ten title in their inaugural season. Incredible scenes at Pauley as Bruin fans head for the exits and chants of “We are SC” ring around the stadium.
8:05 p.m.
It’s 76-59 USC with 4:23 to go. The Trojans are on the way to another enormous win, and remarkably, it’s been the supporting cast that’s gotten it done late. Watkins has just 5 points in the second half, and USC has still been able to continue controlling the game and extend its lead over the Bruins.
7:58 p.m.
Wow. Freshman guard Avery Howell just hit back-to-back huge triples from the corner right in front of USC’s bench. The Trojans are now up 18 as Head Coach Lindsay Gottlieb’s freshmen continue to show they are built for the big moments.
7:54 p.m.
64-51 USC with ten minutes to go at Pauley. The momentum really seemed to shift in that third quarter after a bizarre decision by Close to sit both Betts and Rice at the same time. Rice checked back in less then a minute after heading to the bench, but a 4-0 Trojan run during that stretch really changed the feeling of this game. That eventually turned into a 9-0 run to end the quarter, and suddenly USC really seems in control of this game again.
7:54 p.m.
64-51 USC with ten minutes to go at Pauley. The momentum really seemed to shift in that third quarter after a bizarre decision by Close to sit both Betts and Rice at the same time. Rice checked back in less then a minute after heading to the bench, but a 4-0 Trojan run during that stretch really changed the feeling of this game. That eventually turned into a 9-0 run to end the quarter, and suddenly USC really seems in control of this game again.
7:49 p.m.
Intense sequence at Galen Center. After a cold stretch from Watkins that included an air ball and two missed free throws, the UCLA student section was absolutely letting the sophomore hear it every time she touched the ball. A few students had to be restrained by security from approaching the court to taunt Watkins. The Trojan superstar was clearly affected, but eventually responded with a made free throw and a huge transition bucket after a delicious euro step. Watkins reacted as you might expect, and the crowd is pretty quiet now. 62-51 USC with just 39 seconds left in the third quarter.
7:41 p.m.
Rice is pumping up the crowd after a brief skirmish with USC senior center Rayah Marshall and it is quite loud in here. The Trojan lead has been cut to just four as the Bruins have found some offense and Watkins has gone cold – much to the delight of the UCLA student section. 55-51 USC with just under 3:00 left in the third quarter.
7:28 p.m.
UCLA has found some energy on offense to start the half. The crowd at Pauley exploded after a three-point play from junior guard Kiki Rice cut the lead to single digits. 53-44 USC with 6:20 left in the third quarter.
7:05 p.m.
I think it’s safe to say Watkins likes playing the Bruins. The superstar sophomore has 23 points on 8-13 shooting and USC leads 46-32 at halftime. Smith and von Oelhoffen have also been key on both ends, but no Trojan or Bruin other than Watkins is in double figures. UCLA is shooting just 11-30 from the field, and will need to start creating better offense and contain Watkins to mount a comeback in the final 20 minutes.
6:50 p.m.
UCLA Head Coach Cori Close takes a timeout after a mid-range bucket from USC graduate guard Talia von Oelhoffen extends the Trojan lead to 34-24. Von Oelhoffen has made a big impact so far tonight, also igniting the visiting fans with a four-point play early in the first quarter. Close, meanwhile, was furious at what she believed was a missed travel call on freshman guard Kennedy Smith a few possessions earlier – storming down the court to get into an official’s face after Smith’s bucket.
6:35 p.m.
Watkins and USC got off to a rapid start, but the Bruins have settled in here. An 8-2 UCLA run cuts the Trojan lead to 23-20 at the end of the first quarter.
6:26 p.m.
Watkins is off to an unreal start. The sophomore has three triples and 13 points already. USC leads 21-12 with 2:33 left in the first quarter.
6:15 p.m.
Pretty solid USC contingent here at Pauley. There were some loud cheers when sophomore guard JuJu Watkins was introduced, and the crowd has been pretty loud as the Trojans have gotten off to a very quick start. 9-0 USC with 6:00 left in the first quarter.
