Juju Watkins He broke out from a slump of scoring with 38 points and finished 6th. USC No.1 to fall UCLA 71-60 and offers her further goal of restoring the program to its former glory.
Some of the early 1980s Trojan starring roles, including 1983 Hall of Fames Cheryl Miller and Tina Thompson, were the first win of the program on Thursday night in 1983 with a top-ranked team. USC joined the loud crowd.
“It’s going to be one of those nights,” DJ Mal-Ski told the 10,258 sold out crowd during the pre-match warmup.
That was certainly the case.
After her sister Mari sang the national anthem, Watkins scored eight points in five minutes and started the game when the Trojans put the Bruins in their early holes.
“Juju gets hot from the bounce and she’s fallen into rhythm,” UCLA coach Kori Close said.
Watkins scored all USC points in the second quarter, overtaking 20-14 in the second quarter. She stopped the Bruins’ 10-0 run with a 3-pointer and advanced the Trojans 38-35 in the half.
It was her second-highest scoring game of her season and shyed her 40-point effort against the California Baptist on December 3rd.
Read the signs young people have: “I wear #12 like a juju.” The red chili pepper flea was wearing a juju T-shirt.
A largely cardinal crowd of age, gender and racial composition, there was evidence of Watkins’ drawing skills and the support she enjoys from the nearby Watts community where she grew up.
Watkins appeared in the match with a 45-12 shooting from the floor in the final two home games. She was also four-fifths from the 3-point range.
She hit nine 3-pointers and 10 free throws, going with 11 rebounds, eight blocks and five assists.
“She takes pride on both sides of the ball,” Close said.
Also among the crowd were actors Kevin Hart and Issa Ray, NFL Rookie of the Year, Jayden Daniels, DiAikahambee from Kelsey Plum and Las Parks, Vanessa Bryant and daughter Natalia.
Report by Associated Press.
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