JuJu Watkins made quite the impression at the historic Pauley Pavilion on Saturday before telling USC’s rivals: “I’m confident.”
The sophomore shined for No. 4 USC with an impressive stat line of 30 points, five assists, three blocks, and two steals during a game-leading 37 minutes, helping them conquer No. 2 UCLA with an 80-67 victory and clinching the Big Ten regular-season title Saturday.
On a court that honors the very name of John Wooden – who coached UCLA’s men’s basketball team for 27 years – Watkins’ stellar display seemed to channel the late coach’s spirit. “You want to do your best,” Watkins said. “You don’t want to let anybody down.”
The talented player stood out as she skipped on donning a Big Ten champion hat or T-shirt while speaking alongside teammate Kiki Iriafen and coach Lindsay Gottlieb post-game. “I don’t really wear hats because I have the bun,” she said before laugher.
Even as she missed some 3-pointers and became the target of UCLA student jeers chanting “Airball! Airball!” Watkins took it in stride. “That definitely did fire me up,” she admitted. “I knew when I airballed, I couldn’t help but smile. I love the atmosphere here even though they’re not on our side.”
Though Watkins faltered briefly when missing three out of four free throws in the third quarter, allowing UCLA to close the gap, such moments were sparse. More often, she was dominating the game, imposing her will with sheer prowess.
Watkins scored 30 points in USC’s latest win (
AP)
Exhibiting strength and skill, she scored down low with a defender close behind, drew a foul with a triumphant fist pump, and converted the ensuing free throw, all while a fan’s voice rang out: “We love you, JuJu!” She then sealed her commanding presence with a 3-pointer, leaving the sold-out crowd of 13,359 thunderstruck.
In the third quarter, Watkins demanded the ball from her teammate Kayleigh Henkel and nailed a jumper. She even managed to score over the towering 6-foot-7 Lauren Betts as the quarter came to a close.
Come the fourth quarter, Watkins was dishing out assists for back-to-back 3-pointers by Avery Howell, and before you knew it, the Trojans had surged ahead by 20 points. Watkins’ defensive prowess was evident all game, and her late-game block on Gabriela Jaquez got Hall of Famer Cheryl Miller so pumped up that she high-fived Watkins right there courtside. The USC faithful, decked out in cardinal and gold, started belting out: “We are SC!”
“That was cool,” Watkins said when asked about USC’s support. “Just to see that we get the love even when we go across town we still get the home spirit. The whole crowd was just unbelievable on both sides.”
Watkins had previously lit up the scoreboard with 38 points in USC’s 70-61 victory over UCLA at Galen Center two weeks prior, handing UCLA both of their losses this season to the Trojans. Looking ahead to the potential rematch at next week’s Big Ten tournament in Indianapolis, Watkins exuded confidence: “I’m confident. The work speaks for itself so as long as we continue to stick with the process we’ll see success.”
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