JuJu Watkins and the No. 6 USC Trojans Upset the No. 1 UCLA Bruins 71-60

USC Trojans #12 JuJu Watkins (G) is pushing the ball upcourt against several UCLA Bruins defenders.

Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1

LOS ANGELES - With standing room only, fans saw JuJu Watkins score 38 points, 11 rebs, eight block shots, and five assists to help the No. 6 USC Trojans (22-2, 12-1 Big Ten) knock off the No. 1 UCLA Bruins (23-1, 11-1 Big Ten) 71-60 at the Galen Center.

Kiki Iriafen had 13 points for the Trojans, and Lauren Betts led the Bruins in scoring with 18 points and 13 rebounds, KiKi Rice with 15 points, and Janiah Barker with 10 points.

The eight blocks for Watkins was a career-high for her, and it set the tone for the Trojans, especially in the second half.

"Whatever it takes to win," Watkins said. "I didn't plan on having that many blocks, but I think that's what we needed to win. Any way I could help out, that's my goal."

USC will have to credit their toughness on defense for the win against their cross-town rivals, forcing UCLA to commit 20 turnovers, which led to 21 points for the Trojans, and USC committed only nine turnovers, which led to 10 points for the Bruins.

"JuJu was otherworldly. It was one of the best performances I've seen," Gottlieb said after the game. "Other than that, we missed a couple of shots and had to be incredibly gritty."

Talia von Oelhoffen got the Trojans fans buzzing early after knocking down a three-pointer to give them a 3-0 lead to start the quarter. UCLA took the lead 4-3 with a reverse layup by Gabriela Jaquez. The Trojans went up 15-8 with a drop-step layup by Kiki Iriafen.

UCLA Bruins #51 Lauren Betts (C) is being guarded by USC Trojans #34 Clarice Akunwafo (C). This photo was taken by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1

The Bruins trailed 20-15 after back-to-back baskets by Angela Dugalić three-pointer and a layup by Lauren Betts. USC was up by nine points, 24-15, in the first quarter with a buzzer-beater by Talia von Oelhoffen.

USC led 27-15 in the second quarter with a three-pointer by Watkins from the left side of the basket. Watkins left open on the left side of the court nailed a three-pointer to give the Trojans a 32-18 lead.

Londynn Jones and Kiki Rice back-to-back baskets started a 13-3 run that had the Bruins trailing 35-31 with 2:10 left before halftime.

UCLA tied the game 35-35 with a jump shot by Rice. USC retook the lead and led at halftime 38-35 with a three-pointer by Watkins.

Watkins had 25 points in the first half, Betts with 9 points, and Rice with 8 points for UCLA.

USC Trojans #44 KiKi Iriafen (F) is going to the basket for a layup against UCLA Bruins #1 Kiki Rice (G). Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1

UCLA led by seven points in the third quarter, 45-37, thanks to a three-pointer by Londynn Jones. Rice would pull up for a jump shot in the paint to give the Bruins a 52-45 lead with 1:48 left in the third quarter.

USC trail at the end of the quarter 52-47 with two free throws by Avery Howell.

In the fourth quarter, Watkins drove to the basket for a layup to give USC a 53-52 lead that had the Trojans fans going crazy.

The Bruins would take the lead back 56-55 for a moment with a free throw by Rice.

The Trojans would go on a 10-1 run capped off after Kiki Iriafen fouled on her layup and made her free throw to lead 67-57.

USC would close out the game with two free throws by Von Oelhoffen to secure their 71-60 victory and gave UCLA their first loss of the season.