No. 4 USC holds off No. 2 UCLA to win Big Ten women’s basketball title

4 USC presented a statement in Crosstown rivalry and defeated the UCLA 80-67 No. 2 on Saturday to gain a share in the Big title and sweep the season.

The Trojan horses set the tone early and opened with 9-0 running, while the clothed missed the first eight shots. At the end of the first quarter he led the USC 23-20, while Juju Watkins had already sketched 13 points. Watkins, the tallest newcomer of the nation, was dominant all the time and ended with 30 points, 5 assists and 3 blocks and anchored the offense and defense of the USC.

The USC leadership increased to 14, powered by effective shooting and disturbing defense, which forced 16 Bruin turns. UCLA, known for its dominant reflection and the presence inside, tried to start either and shoot only 36% of the field. Despite the short increase in the third quarter of UCL, the Trojan horses responded 7-0 to close the period and protect the two-digit lead that they would not give up.

Bruins got 16 points from Kiki Rice and 11 points and 11 rebounds from Lauren Betts, but it wasn’t enough to balance the balanced USC attack. Kiki Iriafen contributed 17 points and 9 rebounds for the Trojan horses, while Kennedy Smith added 7 points and a key 3-proofer during the explosion of the second quarter of the USC.

With victory, the USC overall improves to 26-2 and 16-1 in Big Ten, weighs at the top of the ranking. Trojan horses also improved this season to 5-1 against the TOP-10 teams, which in the upcoming NCAA tournament created a strong case for the highest seed.

The opponents could meet again soon and both teams looked at the potential match in the Big Ten tournament.