Image Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

JuJu Watkins makes basketball history with rare stat line in USC win

Watkins recorded 11 rebounds, five assists, eight blocks and 6 three pointers against the UCLA.

Image Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

USC Trojans’ star guard JuJu Watkins came up with a power-packed performance to help the side record a solid 71-60 win over the No.1 ranked UCLA Bruins. The sophomore guard finished with 38 points and handed UCLA their first defeat of the season.

As Watkins put on a classic performance, she etched her name in the history books across all divisions. Watkins became the first ever player in this century to finish a game with 35+ points, 10+ rebounds, 5+ assists, 5+ blocks and 5+ three pointers. The 6’2” recorded 11 rebounds, five assists, eight blocks and 6 three pointers against the UCLA.

Not only this, but during the game, Watkins moved past the 1,500 career-point mark and notched the 15th career double-double. She is now at No. 13 all-time in scoring at USC with a total of 1,507 points. This was her second-highest score in a game this season, and she fell short of just two points from reaching the 40-point mark, recorded against the California Baptist in December 2024.

This was Watkins’ 19th career 30-point game and fifth 30-point game in this season.

JuJu Watkins: The first player with 35 points, 5 blocks and 5 assists in a game in the last 20 seasons across all Division I ✌️ pic.twitter.com/GJxyzhgFBk
— USC Women's Basketball (@USCWBB) February 14, 2025

The matchup saw Watkins scoring 11 points in the first quarter, while adding one rebound, one assists and two blocks that helped his side record a 24-15 lead. While her counterparts were aiming to make a comeback in the second quarter, Watkins held her nerves and scored all of her team’s 14 points to extend the lead to 38-85 at halftime.

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The Los Angeles-born scored three points in the third quarter and concluded the final quarter with eight points to help the side achieve a tally of 22-2. Apart from her, Kiki Iriafen came up with 13 points, while Talia von Oelhoffen scored seven points.

“It’s really all I could ask for”- JuJu Watkins reflects on her historic performance in USC’s win

Following the win, Katie Storm asked Watkins how was it to lead the USC to their first win over the number one overall ranked opponent since 1983.

JuJu replied and mentioned about her personal struggles but making a comeback. She said, “It took everything. 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 in Galen versus UCLA, it’s really all I could ask for.”

She thanked her teammates and expressed her gratitude stating, “I have the greatest teammates and I am just glad that we were able to get it done tonight.”

Reflecting upon her game, Watkins said, “It’s such an opportunity to play our rivalry school and then play a number one team. It was really important. Like I said, these last couple of weeks were hard for me on the court. So just to be able to lock in and have fun out there tonight, I am great right now.”

The Trojans will now visit Washington on Sunday, Feb. 16.

JuJu Watkins

UCLA Bruins

USC Trojans

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.