No. 4 USC holds off No. 2 UCLA to win Big Ten women's basketball title
‼️ USC stuns UCLA to claim rivalry win
No. 4 USC delivered a statement in the crosstown rivalry, defeating No. 2 UCLA 80-67 on Saturday to clinch a share of the Big Ten regular season title and sweep the season series.
The Trojans set the tone early, opening with a 9-0 run while UCLA missed its first eight shots. By the end of the first quarter, USC led 23-20, with JuJu Watkins already tallying 13 points. Watkins, the nation’s top sophomore, was dominant throughout, finishing with 30 points, 5 assists and 3 blocks, anchoring both USC’s offense and defense.
USC’s lead grew to 14 at halftime, fueled by efficient shooting and disruptive defense that forced 16 Bruin turnovers. UCLA, known for its dominant rebounding and inside presence, struggled to establish either, shooting just 36% from the field. Despite a brief third-quarter surge from UCLA, the Trojans responded with a 7-0 run to close the period, protecting a double-digit lead they would not relinquish.
The Bruins got 16 points from Kiki Rice and 11 points and 11 rebounds from Lauren Betts, but it wasn’t enough to offset USC’s balanced attack. Kiki Iriafen contributed 17 points and 9 rebounds for the Trojans, while Kennedy Smith added 7 points and a key 3-pointer during USC’s second-quarter burst.
With the win, USC improves to 26-2 overall and 17-1 in Big Ten play. The Trojans also improve to 5-1 against top-10 teams this season, making a strong case for a top seed in the upcoming ݮվ߿ tournament.
The rivals could meet again soon, with both teams eyeing a potential rematch in the Big Ten tournament.
😱 Trojans closing in on rivalry sweep
😬 Trojans respond after UCLA rally
After UCLA trimmed a 16-point deficit down to four, USC answered with a 7-0 run to close the quarter, pushing their lead back to 64-51. JuJu Watkins is up to 28 points, and all five Trojan starters are now dealing with foul trouble.
✌️ Trojans hold steady
With 4:39 left in the third, No. 4 USC leads No. 2 UCLA 55-46. JuJu Watkins continues to shine with 25 points, and the Trojans are shooting 48% overall. UCLA’s Kiki Rice has 9 points, but the Bruins need to tighten up defensively if they want to close the gap.
🤝 HALFTIME: Trojans keep control
It’s all JuJu Watkins so far — she’s got 23 points at the break as No. 4 USC leads No. 2 UCLA 46-32. The Trojans forced 11 turnovers and scored 17 points off them, while UCLA is still searching for rhythm after shooting 37% in the half.
MAKE THAT 23 POINTS THROUGH TWO QUARTERS FOR JUJU.
— USC Women's Basketball (@USCWBB)
📺 FOX
📻 USC Game Day App
💪 USC capitalizes on Bruins slump
The Bruins have only scored four points in the quarter and have just 5:37 left to gain some momentum going into the break. The Trojans are 13-for-28 from the field while UCLA stands at 9--for-23.
CIRCUS SHOT FROM KEN 🎪
— USC Women's Basketball (@USCWBB)
📺 FOX
😳 Bruins climb back, trail by three
After one quarter, No. 4 USC leads No. 2 UCLA 23-20, fueled by a hot start from JuJu Watkins. Watkins already has 13 points on 5-for-8 shooting, including three triples. UCLA shook off a slow start but still trails after shooting just 41% from the field.
SEND THAT BACK 🚫
— UCLA Women's Basketball (@UCLAWBB)
📺: FOX |
🔥 Trojans starting HOT
USC has control of the board early in the game with a commanding 15-4 lead. JuJu Watkins accounts for almost half of the Trojans' points with seven on 3-of-4 shooting and one three. Meanwhile, UCLA is shooting just 20% from the field.
TVO TRIPLE + THE FOUL.
— USC Women's Basketball (@USCWBB)
📺 FOX
👀 Starting lineups
USC
- Kennedy Smith (G)
- JuJu Watkins (G)
- Talia von Oelhoffen (G)
- Rayah Marshall (F)
- Kiki Iriafen (F)
UCLA
- Kiki Rice (G)
- Londyn Jones (G)
- Gabriela Jaquez (F)
- Angela Dugalic (F)
- Lauren Betts (C)
⭐️ Legends in the building
The stars are out early for this top-5 showdown. Reggie Miller, Cheryl Miller and Ann Meyers-Drysdale — all basketball royalty — are already courtside soaking it all in. Three Hall of Famers, one rivalry game.
Los Angeles royalty in the building! 👑
— UCLA Women's Basketball (@UCLAWBB)
⏰ 20 minutes until tip-off
It's a top-five battle in Los Angeles at the Pauley Pavilion. No. 2 UCLA looks to bounce back after No. 4 Southern California took the last showdown, 71-60, thanks to a JuJu Watkins masterclass. Stay here for all of the updates from today's action.
Locked in. 🔒
— UCLA Women's Basketball (@UCLAWBB)
“That’s the one.”
— USC Women's Basketball (@USCWBB)
Ray called her shot at shootaround 🎯
📺 How to watch No. 2 UCLA vs. No. 4 USC
No. 2 UCLA and No. 4 USC will meet for the second time this season Saturday night at Pauley Pavilion for a top-5 Big Ten battle.
Here's all the information you need to watch the game:
- 🗓️&Բ;Date: Saturday, March 1
- &Բ;Time: 9 p.m. ET
- 📍&Բ;Location: Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, California
- 📺 TV/Streaming:
- 📊&Բ;Follow: Live scores and stats
We will be live blogging the game right here on sifoeeprocess.com.
😤 No. 2 UCLA, No. 4 USC meet again in regular-season finale
After handing former No. 1 UCLA its first loss of the season two weeks earlier with 38 points from star Juju Watkins, No. 4 USC will travel to Pauley Pavilion on Saturday, March 1 to take on the Bruins for its regular-season finale.
Both teams have gone undefeated since their last meeting on Feb. 13, with each picking up two ranked wins as they look to close out conference play. Both the Trojans and Bruins are 16-1 in the Big Ten, while the Bruins are still undefeated at home (13-0).
After stumbling against the Trojans, center Lauren Betts is averaging 23 points for UCLA in her three games played since, and she set a new program record for most blocks in a single season, eclipsing 70, against Illinois on Feb. 23.
Watkins has led the Trojans on a six-game win streak, averaging 23.2 points and seven rebounds per game in February. The guard became the first player to tally 35 points, five assists and five blocks in a game in the past 20 seasons across all DI basketball in USC’s 71-60 win over UCLA on Feb. 13. Watkins exploded for a 38-point, 11-rebound double-double, with eight blocks and five assists. The guard shot 66.7% from 3-point range, going 6-of-9.
UCLA still holds the overall series record at 33-25 with a 19-8 home record. However, the Trojans have taken the last three matchups. The Trojans also come into the matchup 2-0 in road games against top-10 opponents, having previously defeated UConn and Maryland on the road.
1️⃣ UCLA, USC named 1-seeds in final top-16 reveal
UCLA and USC were both tabbed as the No. 1 seeds in the second and final in-season top-16 committee rankings update on Feb. 27. UCLA earned the No. 1 overall seed position, while USC earned No. 3 overall. The two teams join Notre Dame and Texas as two of the four No. 1 seeds.
Bracket for today’s Top 16 Reveal
— ݮվ߿ March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB)
📊 Comparing the stats: last matchup
Let's take a look at the stats breakdown from the teams' last meeting on Feb. 13, where USC defeated UCLA 71-60 at Galen Center.
| USC | Stat | UCLA |
|---|---|---|
| 33.3% (21/63) | Field goal % | 35.1% (20/57) |
| 44.4% (8/18) | 3-point FG % | 15.4% (2/13) |
| 84% (21/25) | Free throw % | 72% (18/25) |
| 12 | Assists | 13 |
| 35 | Rebounds | 45 |
| 9 | Turnovers | 20 |
| 18 | Points in the paint | 26 |
| 9 | Bench points | 13 |
| 21 | Points off turnovers | 10 |
| JuJu Watkins (38) | Top scorer | Lauren Betts (18) |