USC claimed a 71-60 upset win over No. 1 UCLA on Thursday, handing the Bruins their first loss of the season. JuJu Watkins excelled, scoring 38 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, delivering 5 assists, blocking 8 shots and stealing once, including sinking eight 3-pointers. After struggles earlier in the month, this performance was incredibly timely for her.

“It took everything,” Watkins said during her postgame interview. “It’s been a rough couple of weeks for me, and to be able to kind of snap back into it and get into my rhythm here at Galen against UCLA, it’s really all I could ask for. I have the greatest teammates and I’m just glad we were able to get it done tonight.”

This was Watkins’ fifth game scoring over 30 points, adding to her esteemed credentials as a Player of the Year contender.

Notably, this matchup marked the first time USC and UCLA faced each other with one team ranked No. 1, and also marked USC’s first victory over a top-ranked opponent since 1983. Basketball legend Cheryl Miller witnessed her former program’s triumph firsthand.

UCLA dropped to 23-1 overall and 11-1 in conference play, while USC improved to 22-2 overall and 12-1 in the Big Ten, marking their fourth win against a ranked opponent this season.

In a competitive game with several ties and lead changes, a pivotal moment arose six minutes before the game ended. Watkins’s steal and layup gave USC a crucial 53-52 lead, a momentum shift that energized the crowd.

Despite the team’s overall difficulties, Watkins was an exceptional presence through the game, reminding spectators why she remains one of college basketball’s brightest stars. UCLA, usually dependable, struggled against USC’s defense, laying the groundwork for this significant upset.