JuJu Watkins lifts sixth-ranked USC to program-defining win over No. 1 UCLA

JuJu Watkins broke out of a scoring hunch with 38 factors, serving to sixth-ranked USC topple No. 1 UCLA 71-60 and additional delivering on her aim of restoring this system to its earlier glory.

A few of these Trojans stars from the early Nineteen Eighties — together with Corridor of Famers Cheryl Miller and Tina Thompson — joined a raucous crowd as USC rallied for this system’s first win over a top-ranked crew since 1983 on Thursday night time.

“Gonna be a type of nights,” DJ Mal-Ski advised the soldout crowd of 10,258 throughout pregame warmups.

It certainly was.

After her sister Mali sang the nationwide anthem, Watkins scored eight factors in 5 minutes to begin the sport when the Trojans put the Bruins in an early gap.

“JuJu acquired sizzling off the bounce and she or he acquired in a rhythm,” UCLA coach Cori Shut stated.

Watkins had all of USC’s factors within the second quarter after they had been outscored 20-14. She stopped the Bruins’ 10-0 run with a 3-pointer that stored the Trojans forward 38-35 on the half.

It was her second-highest scoring recreation of the season, simply two factors shy of her 40-point effort in opposition to California Baptist on Dec. 3.

“I put on #12 to be like JuJu,” learn an indication held by a teenager. Flea from Purple Scorching Chili Peppers wore a JuJu T-shirt.

So did the predominantly cardinal-clad crowd that was numerous in its age, gender and racial make-up, a testomony to Watkins’ drawing energy and the help she enjoys from the close by Watts group the place she grew up.

Watkins got here into the sport taking pictures 12-of-45 from the ground in her final two dwelling video games. She was simply 4-of-25 from 3-point vary in that span, too.

She hit 6-of-9 3-pointers and 8-of-10 free throws to go along with 11 rebounds, eight blocks and 5 assists.

“She takes pleasure on each side of the ball,” Shut stated.

Additionally within the crowd had been actors Kevin Hart and Issa Rae, NFL rookie of the yr Jayden Daniels, Kelsey Plum and Dearica Hamby of the LA Sparks, and Vanessa Bryant and daughter Natalia.

Reporting by The Related Press.

[Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily.]

FOLLOW Comply with your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports activities expertise