Into the early morning of Valentine’s Day on the east coast, Juju Watkins and the sixth-ranked Trojans knocked off No. 1 UCLA 71-60, finally adding a loss to the Bruins’ previously unblemished record.
This win marks the first time the Trojans have defeated a No. 1 ranked team since 1983.
It was a captivating performance from one of women’s basketball’s best as Watkins dropped 38 points, 11 rebounds, eight blocks and five assists in front of a star-studded Los Angeles crowd.
The 6-foot-2 sophomore became the first player to tally 35 points, five assists and five blocks in a game in the past 20 seasons across all Division I basketball.
USC (22-2, 12-1 Big Ten) carried a 38-35 lead into the break, but the top-ranked Bruins found their rhythm in the third quarter, outscoring the Trojans 17-9 to take a 52-47 lead into the final 10 minutes.
The first five minutes of the fourth were neck-and-neck after the Trojans opened on a 6-0 run as the inner-city rivals traded the lead four times. But behind a rocking Galen Center, USC went on a 13-3 run in the final four minutes, cruising to a double-digit win over the nation’s last undefeated team.
That’s how champions finish!! ✌️ pic.twitter.com/sZv0U5OR4L
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) February 14, 2025
It was a highly anticipated matchup that exceeded all expectations, and their next matchup on March 1 will certainly be must-watch TV.
