LAS VEGAS — In a thrilling double-overtime showdown, the No. 5 Southern California Trojans emerged victorious over the No. 7 UCLA Bruins, securing their spot in the Pac-12 Tournament championship. Led by a stellar performance from JuJu Watkins, who recorded 33 points and 10 rebounds, USC outlasted their crosstown rivals with an 80-70 victory.
The Trojans’ road to the championship game was not an easy one. In the second overtime, they outscored the Bruins 13-3 to secure their place in the final. USC will now face No. 2 Stanford, who defeated No. 13 Oregon State 66-57 in the first semifinal.
This matchup between USC and UCLA was highly anticipated, as it was a rematch of their only meeting earlier in the season. In that game, Watkins led the Trojans to a stunning upset victory over Stanford with a remarkable 51-point performance. The win marked USC’s first trip to the championship game since 2014, showcasing their resurgence as a force to be reckoned with in women’s college basketball.
McKenzie Forbes also played a crucial role for the Trojans, contributing 17 points to the team’s victory. Rayah Marshall provided a strong presence on the boards with 11 rebounds, while Kaitlyn Davis made her presence felt with eight points and an impressive 16 rebounds.
Following the game, USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb praised her team’s resilience and determination. “The stat sheet does not define, and properly show, how their guts are still lying on that court,” she said during the postgame press conference, flanked by Watkins and Davis. The physical clash with their Los Angeles rivals left the Trojans battered and bruised, with Watkins even suffering a severely sprained ankle in the first overtime. However, she returned to the game, determined to help her team secure the victory.
Watkins, who set a new Pac-12 Tournament record for points in a game by a freshman, spoke about her mindset during the game. “Even when I went out I knew I had to get back in because I think my team needed me,” she said. “It’s just an ankle, nothing I’m not used to… It’s important we leave it all out on the floor.”
On the UCLA side, Charisma Osborne led the team with 21 points, while Lauren Betts recorded an impressive double-double with 17 points and 18 rebounds. Kiki Rice contributed 11 points and six assists before fouling out, and Angela Dugalic chipped in with 10 points and eight rebounds. Despite their efforts, the Bruins couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities to win the game in regulation and the first overtime.
Reflecting on the close calls, UCLA coach Cori Close acknowledged that there were moments where different decisions could have been made. “Probably, if I had to do it all over again, we might have done something different… to try to get us something a little quicker,” she said. However, Close emphasized that these moments were not what determined the outcome of the game.
Throughout the game, both teams displayed their resilience and determination. The Bruins closed the third quarter struggling with their shooting, but managed to keep within striking distance by outscoring USC 14-11. UCLA regained the lead in the fourth quarter, setting off a sequence of lead changes that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Despite USC’s struggles from beyond the arc, shooting just 21.0% on Friday, they found ways to make crucial plays when it mattered most. Watkins ignited an 8-0 run in the fourth quarter, helping the Trojans regain control of the game.
As USC prepares to face Stanford in the championship game, they will rely on their tenacity and the exceptional performances of players like Watkins and Forbes. The Trojans have proven themselves to be a formidable team, capable of overcoming adversity and competing at the highest level.
The Pac-12 Tournament has showcased the talent and determination of these two Los Angeles rivals. Fans can expect an intense and thrilling championship game as USC looks to secure their first tournament title in seven years.