JuJu Watkins dazzles as USC rallies to stun top-ranked UCLA - ESPN

LOS ANGELES — The stage was already big, the moment already heavy with anticipation, so JuJu Watkins made sure her performance would not be forgotten.

Against undefeated, top-ranked UCLA, which had been overwhelming teams left and right with its depth and size, it appeared Watkins would need to reach toward perfection for No. 6 USC to have a shot. Instead, in front of a sold-out, electric Galen Center crowd, the sophomore phenom from Los Angeles made history and helped the Trojans upset the Bruins 71-60 on Thursday night.

Over the course of 40 minutes, resting exactly 43.6 seconds in the first half, Watkins stitched together one of the best games of the season, showcasing every facet of her game with 38 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists and a game-changing 8 blocked shots.

Watkins is the first Division I player with at least 35 points, 5 blocks and 5 assists in a game in the past 20 seasons.

The victory moved USC (22-2, 12-1) into first place in the Big Ten Conference standings. UCLA (23-1, 11-1) will host the next meeting between the teams March 1.

«Honestly,» senior center Clarice Akunwafo said, «JuJu is amazing.»

Watkins, by now, is known for her prolific scoring. She glides through defenses with a relative ease that makes it look as if she's playing in slow motion, allowing her to score nearly at will. Even if her style often leaves her vulnerable to cold stretches, they never seem to last long. On Thursday, her 38 points came in unstoppable waves that the Bruins could only hope to tame.

In the first quarter, coming off a game in which she started 0-for-10 from the field, Watkins scored 11 points. In the second, she added 14 more thanks to three 3-pointers. It seemed as if no one on the court would be able to stop her.