The USC Trojans delivered a commanding performance on Saturday night, defeating the UCLA Bruins 80-67 to claim the Big Ten regular season championship. Star guard JuJu Watkins led the charge with a dominant 30-point performance, further cementing her place in NCAA history. Watkins became only the second Division I player this century, alongside Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, to record at least 30 points in four consecutive games against the same opponent.
Watkins’ stat line was nothing short of spectacular, adding five assists, three rebounds, three blocks, and two steals while shooting 10-of-22 from the field. Forward Kiki Iriafen was USC’s second-leading scorer with 17 points, but no other Trojan reached double figures. However, with Watkins in control, that was more than enough to overpower the Bruins. This latest victory completed a regular-season sweep of UCLA, marking four straight wins for the Trojans over their crosstown rival. Watkins had already torched the Bruins with 38 points in their previous matchup in February, proving her dominance over one of the nation’s top teams.
USC’s triumph also sealed the program’s first-ever Big Ten regular season title in its inaugural year in the conference. The Trojans finished the season with an impressive 26-2 overall record and a 17-1 mark in conference play. UCLA, which had been ranked No. 2 entering the game, ended up in second place with a 27-2 overall record and a 16-2 conference record—both of its losses coming at the hands of USC. This win was particularly significant as it marked a shift in power after both teams finished tied for second behind Stanford in last year’s Pac-12 standings.
Beyond the team’s success, Watkins’ stellar performances have made her the clear frontrunner for the Wooden Award, given annually to the nation’s top player. With averages of 24.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, she has consistently delivered in the biggest moments. Her head-to-head battle with UCLA’s Lauren Betts, another Wooden Award contender, only strengthened her case. With USC’s conference title secured and UCLA’s undefeated season dashed, Watkins has all but locked up the prestigious honor.
With the Big Ten Tournament on the horizon, USC is now in prime position to secure a No. 1 seed for the NCAA Tournament. If the Trojans can continue their winning streak in the conference tournament, they could even contend for the top overall seed when Selection Sunday arrives. Their next challenge will be their quarterfinal matchup on March 7, where they will look to build on their momentum and solidify their status as one of the nation’s top teams.
