New Bruswick, NJ—-The USC Trojans showcased their dominance Sunday night, cruising to a commanding 92-42 victory over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Jersey Mike’s Arena. A lively crowd of 7,356 watched as USC controlled the game from start to finish, fueled by an impressive all-around team performance.
Sophomore phenom JuJu Watkins led the charge for the Trojans, posting a game-high 23 points, 14 rebounds along with 4 assists. Kennedy Smith added a stellar effort, contributing 19 points and an eye-popping 6 steals. USC’s relentless offensive and defensive pressure overwhelmed Rutgers, as the Trojans shot 40.3% (29-of-72) from the field and 32.1% (9-of-28) from beyond the arc.
The Trojans dominated the paint, scoring 34 points in the interior and capitalizing on fast breaks with 37 points in transition. Their defense was equally suffocating, forcing Rutgers into 27 turnovers while winning the rebounding battle decisively, 56-28.
USC set the tone early, building a 37-14 halftime lead that left little room for doubt about the outcome. Rutgers struggled to find answers against USC’s length and athleticism, which disrupted the Scarlet Knights on both ends of the floor.
JoJo Lacey was the lone bright spot for Rutgers, leading her team with 14 points and 4 rebounds. However, the Scarlet Knights shot just 27.1% (13-of-48) from the field and could not keep pace with USC’s up-tempo attack.
Rutgers was without freshman star Kiyomi McMiller, who wasn’t with the team. The school said it was coach Coquese Washington’s decision and will be handled internally. McMiller’s averaging 19.9 points per game.
“We prepared to have her,” USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb said. Obviously she’s a big part of what they do. But I told the team when we found out she’s going to be out that sometimes other people take that opportunity to step up and we couldn’t be any less locked on our game plan.
“Don’t know what’s going on there but hope the best for everybody.”
With this victory, USC continues to prove itself as a team to watch this season, showcasing a balanced attack and stifling defense that could make them a contender in the Pac-12 and beyond. Meanwhile, Rutgers will look to regroup after a tough loss and work on cutting down turnovers as they prepare for their next game.
The Trojans’ dominant performance serves as a reminder of their potential, with Watkins and Smith leading the charge as rising stars in college basketball.
