USC Trojans Women's Basketball Dominates UCLA Bruins To Win Big Ten Regular Season Title

The No. 4 USC Trojans basketball team defeated the No. 2 UCLA Bruins, 80-67. USC guard JuJu Watkins finished the game with 30 points. With the win, the USC Trojans became Big Ten Champions in their first year in the conference.

Feb 13, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) and UCLA Bruins guard Londynn Jones (3) during an NCAA basketball game at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images | Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

The No. 4 USC Trojans women's basketball team defeated the No. 2 UCLA Bruins. 80-67. USC began with a hot start and maintained the lead for the entire game. With the win, the USC Trojans became Big Ten champions in their first year in the conference.

The biggest issue for the Trojans was their foul troubles, with USC guard Talia von Oelhoffen fouling out of the game. Despite the fouls, every player stepped up to defeat USC's cross-town rivals. USC guard JuJu Watkins finished the game with 30 points.

The Trojans will finish the regular season with a 26-2 overall record, 17-1 in Big Ten conference play. The Bruins will fall to a 27-2 record, 16-2 in the Big Ten. Both of UCLA’s losses came against USC.

Feb 13, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) and UCLA Bruins guard Londynn Jones (3) during an NCAA basketball game at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images | Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Fourth Quarter

End of the Fourth Quarter: For the final minutes of the game, USC worked to control the clock with their lead and forced UCLA to foul. USC wins, 80-67

4:23: UCLA first to score in the fourth. Guard Avery Howell comes off the bench to score two three-pointers in a row to extend USC’s lead to 19 points. UCLA picks up the pressure, forcing a needed turnover for the Bruins. USC's von Oelhoffen fouls out of the game, finishing with eight points. USC leads 76-59.

Third Quarter

End of the third quarter: UCLA struggles with shooting but improves on defense. Iriafen did not play much in the first half due to her foul trouble, but she stepped up in the third quarter. USC closes out the third quarter, 64-51.

:39.2: UCLA takes advantage of the free throws to narrow USC’s lead. USC’s starting lineup each reached at least three fouls, with guard Talia von Oelhoffen reaching four. UCLA goes on a 7-0 scoring run, gaining momentum. After not scoring for just over six minutes, USC guard Malia Samuels scored two points. USC leads, 62-51.

4:50: Iriafen was the first on the board with two points to start the half. Marshall gives up her third foul of the game as USC continues to struggle with fouls. UCLA’s Kiki Rice makes a big play to get the score within ten points. Trojans give up their fourth foul of the quarter. USC leads 55-46.

Second Quarter

End of the First Half: USC has faced foul troubles in the first half and will need to be careful as the game progresses. Though UCLA has stepped up, the Trojans have maintained the lead with a strong showing from Watkins. USC leads at half time, 46-32.

1:07: UCLA improves on rebounding to stay in the game. USC reached their largest lead of 12 points of the game following a shot by Smith. USC has scored 17 points off of turnovers. USC is up 43-30.

5:37: USC’s Kennedy Smith is the first to score in the quarter with a three-pointer. USC goes on a 5-0 run to start the second quarter. Iriafen gives up her third foul of the game. Watkins is fouled and goes 2-2 on free throws. USC maintains their lead, 34-24.

First Quarter

End of the first quarter: Despite a strong start by USC, UCLA narrows the score to a three-point differential. USC is in danger of facing foul trouble early in the matchup. With a shot clock violation, USC was unable to extend the lead before the end of the quarter. Watkins ends the first quarter with 13 points. USC is up 23-20 over UCLA.

1:01: UCLA’s defense steps up and rebounds off a missed shot by USC forward Kiki Iriafen, leads to a three-pointer by UCLA forward Timea Gardiner. UCLA picks up the pace as Iriafen is up to two fouls. UCLA narrows the score, but USC maintains the lead, 23-17.

5:00: More UCLA struggles with a foul on UCLA, Clarice Akunwafo. USC up 15-4 with strong play from Watkins and USC G Talia von Oelhoffen.

5:49: USC guard JuJu Watkins is the first on the board with a three-pointer to start the game. USC is off to a 9-0 lead following a turnover by UCLA and strong rebounding from USC. UCLA scores with 5:49 to go to make the score 9-2.

Pregame

Betting Odds:

The USC Trojans are 4.5-point underdogs on Fanduel Sportsbook against the UCLA Bruins. The money line for USC is +164, and total points are 140.5. 

Preview:

The USC are averaging 81.9 points per game, led by guard JuJu Watkins, who is averaging 24.2 points. Trojans forward Kiki Iriafen is not far behind, averaging 18.2 points. Watkins and Iriafen became the second duo from USC to score 30-plus points each in a game. When both play at the top of their game, USC is a tough team to beat.

Watkins also leads the team, averaging 3.6 assists and 2.1 steals. She has scored double-digit points in each game this season. Center Rayah Marshall leads the team, averaging 8.7 rebounds and 2.1 blocks.

Feb 8, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lindsay Gottlieb talks to guard JuJu Watkins (12) during the second quarter at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images | Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

The USC Trojans have been having a successful season, only losing two games. The last time the Trojans lost was an upset against the Iowa Hawkeyes, but USC has been on a six-game win streak since.

The last time the USC Trojans faced the UCLA Bruins was on Feb. 13. The Trojans came away with the upset win, 71-60. Watkins had a stellar game, finishing the game with 38 points, 11 rebounds, eight blocks, and five assists. She also made six of nine three-point attempts.

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Watkins’ game against UCLA made the first player of the century in Division I basketball to record a stat line of 35+ points, 10+ rebounds, 5+ assists, and 5+ three-pointers. 

“I didn’t teach JuJu (Watkins) any of that. Just trying to put her in situations to be her best self, and she does most of that work,” USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb said after the game against UCLA.

“What I was so impressed with tonight, obviously was the mentality she came out with, obviously the ball going through the net helps.”

Feb 23, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Gabriela Jaquez (11) dribbles against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first quarter at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. | Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

The UCLA Bruins are 28-1 this season, 16-1 in Big Ten conference play. The Bruins have not lost a game at home, standing at 13-0. The Bruins are on a six-game winning streak, with their only loss this season coming against the USC Trojans. 

The UCLA Bruins are averaging 79.2 points per game. The Bruins' leading scorer is center Lauren Betts, who is averaging 20.0 points per game. Betts also leads, averaging 9.8 rebounds and 2.8 blocks. Guard Kiki Rice leads, averaging 4.4 assists and 1.6 steals.

UCLA is coming off a win against the Wisconsin Badgers on Feb. 26, while the USC Trojans have not played in a game since Feb. 23. 

The USC Trojans hold a 27-32 all-time record against the UCLA Bruins. USC has won the last three matchups.

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