JuJu Watkins was in her bag as the USC Trojans took on the UCLA Bruins in their NCAA game on Feb. 14, 2025.
The two sides were the top two teams in their conference going into the clash, but it was Watkins’ Trojans that went home with the win, extending their winning streak to three.
JuJu Watkins Unbothered by Pressure As USC Beat UCLA
Watkins was under a bit of pressure going into the match, while USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb was also criticized for the way she used the Trojans’ top star in recent games.
The stakes were also high as the Trojans were up against a Bruins side that had yet to lose a game this season.
However, they picked the right time to play their best game of the season, earning a 71-60 win to end the Bruins’ perfect record.
Watkins was the star of the show, dropping 38 points, including 25 points in the first half alone, while adding 11 rebounds and five assists. It was indeed a perfect response from the 6-foot-2 guard.
Speaking in the postgame press conference, Watkins revealed she was unbothered about the pressure facing her going into the game, as she was only focused on herself.
“I think just to be you, just that youthful spirit like on the floor. I think that’s the biggest thing for me. Just to be happy out there, go out there with my teammates, and get the job done,” Watkins said in her postgame conference.
“I think that’s really all I could ask for. You know, like you said, it has been a tough couple of days for me, but just staying true to the process. I mean, there’s a lesson in everything, and I think that is to always stay joyful on the course,” Watkins added.
Watkins and USC To Build on UCLA Win
The win over UCLA took the Trojans to the top of their division with a 12-1 conference record ahead of the Bruins, who have an 11-1 record.
However, UCLA is still the best overall team in the country, while USC is No. 6 in the nationwide rankings, according to ESPN.
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The Trojans can, however, improve on their record and build on their win over UCLA when they take on Washington in their next game.
As for Watkins, she will also hope to continue from where she stopped against the Bruins. The 6-foot-2 guard is having a season to remember, averaging 24.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game.
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