No. 6 USC claimed a 71-60 upset win over No. 1 UCLA on Thursday, handing the Bruins their first loss of the season. JuJu Watkins shined with one of the best two-way performances in decades.

Watkins finished the night with 38 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, eight blocks and a steal. That performance also included six 3-pointers. After a bit of an offensive slump over the last month, it was exactly the performance she needed.

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“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 versus 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 victory marked USC’s first win over a No. 1 opponent since 1983, significantly elevating Watkins’ candidacy for Player of the Year.

USC improved to 22-2 overall and 12-1 in the Big Ten, while wearily UCLA moved to 23-1 overall and 11-1 in conference play.

The Game-Changing Moment

Thursday’s matchup included five ties and eight lead changes, with a pivotal moment occurring six minutes before the end of the fourth quarter that shifted the game’s momentum heavily in USC’s favor. Watkins executed a steal and scored to give USC a 53-52 advantage, igniting a frenzy of support from the fans at Galen Center.

USC’s defense enforced a stellar performance, holding UCLA to 2 of 16 from the field in the fourth quarter, showcasing a remarkable defensive effort throughout the game. Overall, the match proved to be a classic clash in Los Angeles, with the higher stakes leading to an electrifying conclusion.