USC Women's Basketball Faces First Defeat in Crosstown Showdown Against UCLA

No. 6 USC Falls to No. 2 UCLA in Historic Battle of Undefeated Top-10 Rivals

In a historic clash of crosstown rivals, the No. 6 USC women's basketball team suffered its first loss of the season, succumbing to No. 2 UCLA in a hard-fought 71-64 battle at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion. The sold-out crowd witnessed an intense showdown between the undefeated top-10 teams, marking the first meeting

where both USC and UCLA entered the game with unblemished records.

High-Scoring Duel in Westwood

The game unfolded as a historic encounter, with both teams showcasing their prowess on the court. USC's JuJu Watkins led all scorers with an impressive 27 points, demonstrating her scoring prowess in a fierce back-and-forth contest. The Trojans faced an early deficit, trailing by 10 points in the first quarter, but managed to claw their way back into the game, finishing the first half with a slim 38-37 edge over the Bruins.

Statistical Battle

The statistics reflected the intensity of the matchup, with both teams delivering impressive performances. USC, despite shooting 33.3 percent overall, displayed resilience, holding a narrow lead at halftime. However, UCLA's sharpshooting from beyond the arc, making eight 3-pointers compared to USC's five, and controlling the boards with a 48-37 rebounding advantage, proved decisive in securing the victory for the Bruins.

Individual Performances

JuJu Watkins, not only the leading scorer but also recording a double-double with 11 rebounds, showcased her all-around skills. McKenzie Forbes contributed significantly with 23 points for the Trojans, while Rayah Marshall dominated the boards with a game-high 13 rebounds.

On the UCLA side, London Jones led the scoring with 21 points, including five 3-pointers. Lauren Betts, Kiki Rice, and Charisma Osborne also made impactful contributions, each finishing in double digits.

Game Dynamics

The game witnessed a sluggish start for USC, remaining scoreless from the floor for the first eight minutes. However, a resilient effort, led by Watkins and Forbes, saw the Trojans staging a comeback, with the lead changing hands 11 times in the last four minutes of the first half. The third quarter saw UCLA building a substantial lead, but USC narrowed the gap to one point in the final minutes before ultimately falling short.

Looking Ahead

With this defeat, USC's overall record stands at 10-1, with a 0-1 mark in Pac-12 play. The Trojans now turn their attention to their first Pac-12 home games of the season, hosting the Oregon schools next week. USC is set to face Oregon State on Friday (Jan. 5) at 7 p.m. and Oregon on Sunday (Dec. 7) at 12 p.m. at the Galen Center.

Notable Moments

This matchup marked the first-ever meeting between USC and UCLA where both teams entered the game undefeated. The game, with USC ranked No. 6 and UCLA at No. 2, also marked the first top-10 showdown between the two rivals since 1981. JuJu Watkins continued her impressive form, recording her second career double-double and maintaining her position as USC's leading scorer in every game played.

Despite the defeat, the USC women's basketball team showcased resilience and talent in a thrilling encounter against UCLA. The loss serves as a learning experience as they gear up for upcoming challenges in the Pac-12. The rivalry between these top-ranked teams has reignited the excitement of college women's basketball, promising more thrilling matchups in the future.