JuJu Watkins led the way with 25 points as No. 7 USC triumphed over fourth-ranked UConn 72-70 on Saturday night in Hartford, Connecticut. This engaging matchup marked a rematch of last season’s Elite Eight showdown, where UConn emerged victorious, but this time, the Trojans showcased their resilience after squandering an 18-point lead in the second half.
The thrilling contest featured star players JuJu Watkins and Paige Bueckers, both All-Americans, who mostly guarded each other throughout the game. Watkins’ impressive performance added to her growing legacy, as it marked her fourth career game of 25 or more points against teams ranked in the top five by the Associated Press. This accomplishment stands out, especially as no other player has achieved more than two such performances over the past two seasons. Bueckers contributed with 22 points, highlighting her skill and competitive spirit.
As the game reached a tense tie at 67, Watkins made a pivotal assist to Rayah Marshall, who secured a layup, putting USC ahead with a minute to go. A critical moment saw Watkins miss her first free throw before making the second, extending USC’s lead to 70-67. Despite UConn closing the gap with a basket from Sarah Strong, Watkins further pushed the advantage by sinking two more free throws, bringing the score to 72-69.
UConn had one final opportunity to equalize when Strong went to the line for a 3-pointer with just five seconds remaining. After making the first shot, she missed the second and attempted to secure the rebound on the third by intentionally missing, but the Trojans resisted, and Strong’s last-ditch shot at the buzzer fell short.
This narrow victory marks a significant step for USC, as it was their first game following a defeat to Notre Dame on November 23. The Trojans are now set to challenge three ranked Big Ten teams in their next four matches, presenting another opportunity for growth and testing their mettle.
For UConn, this defeat adds to their struggles against top-10 teams this season, leaving them 0-2 alongside their earlier loss to Notre Dame. The team now looks to regroup ahead of their next game against Providence.
The future looks bright for both teams as they prepare for upcoming challenges, providing fans with much anticipation for their performance in the coming weeks.
Overall, the thrilling matchup not only underscored the talent in women’s college basketball but also emphasized the competitive spirit that drives teams like USC and UConn.