Hartford, Conn—JuJu Watkins delivered a stellar performance with 25 points, helping No. 7 USC overcome a blown 18-point lead to secure a 72-70 victory over No. 4 UConn on Saturday night. The matchup, a rematch of last season’s Elite Eight contest won by the Huskies, showcased two of the top players in women’s college basketball: All-Americans Paige Bueckers and JuJu Watkins, who guarded each other for much of the game.
Bueckers led UConn with 22 points but fell just short of carrying her team to victory.
Late-Game Drama
With the score tied at 67 late in the fourth quarter, Watkins set up Rayah Marshall for a go-ahead layup with 1:21 remaining, giving USC a two-point edge. Following a missed shot by UConn, Watkins was fouled with 31 seconds left. She missed her first free throw—watching it teeter on the rim before falling off—but converted the second to extend USC’s lead to 70-67.
UConn (10-2), which had trailed by as many as 18 points in the third quarter, responded quickly with a basket by freshman Sarah Strong, trimming the deficit to one. Watkins, however, sank two crucial free throws with 19.5 seconds left, pushing the Trojans’ lead to 72-69.
The Huskies had one last chance to tie the game when Strong was fouled on a three-point attempt with five seconds remaining. Strong made the first free throw but missed the second. Intentionally missing the third, UConn grabbed the rebound, but Strong’s desperation shot at the buzzer missed its mark.
Key Highlights
- Third-Quarter Moment of Brilliance: Watkins showcased her defensive and offensive skills by blocking Bueckers’ shot, then scoring on the other end with an impressive move through her legs while being guarded by UConn’s star.
- Struggles Beyond the Arc: After setting a school record with 20 three-pointers in their previous game, UConn struggled from deep, shooting just 6-of-23 from beyond the arc.
Key Takeaways
- USC (11-1): This marked the Trojans’ first major test since losing to Notre Dame on Nov. 23. They now face a challenging stretch, with three ranked Big Ten opponents in their next four games.
- UConn: The Huskies dropped to 0-2 against top-10 teams this season, with their only other loss also coming against Notre Dame.
Up Next
- USC: The Trojans will host Michigan on Dec. 29.
- UConn: The Huskies will face Providence at home on Dec. 29.
