Juju Watkins record-breaking 42-point performance leads No.7 USC over No. 11 Colorado

JuJu (Photo by DeAngelo Scruggs / fi360 News)

Los Angeles, CA – In a record-breaking 42-point performance Juju Watkins led No. 7 Southern California (21-4, Pac-12 11-4) to their seventh victory in a row after an 87-81 victory over No.11 Colorado (20-6, 10-5) in a highly anticipated Pac-12 matchup.

Watkins broke USC Legend’s Sherl Miller record for the most 30-point games in a single season with her 11th 30-plus outing as just a freshman.

JuJu (Photo by DeAngelo Scruggs / fi360 News)

In addition, she set the record for most points scored at the Galen Center by either a male or female player with her 42-point outburst.

“That’s insane honestly, Watkins said when speaking on her accomplishments.  But of course, it’s Cheryl Miller, so – long way to go ’till I’m in that conversation, but I’m just happy to be able to be a part of that Trojan legacy and just continue to evolve and grow the game and culture here at SC.”

Watkins got off to a hot start scoring 15 of her 22 first-half points in the first period to pace the Women of Troy. Mckenzie Forbes scored 14 of her 24 points. The Trojans shot 60% from the field and shot a remarkable 80% from the three-point range nailing 10 of 12 attempts from behind the arc.

(Photo by DeAngelo Scruggs / fi360 News)

The Buffs displayed some exceptional shooting from the field as well in the first half. Colorado shot 72% from the floor and 83% from three-point range and closed the half on a 9-0 run.

USC led 47-43 at halftime.

Watkins did face some adversity in Friday night’s matchup. She committed 10 of USC’s 19 turnovers and committed a flagrant foul in the third period after striking a defender in the face with her elbow.

“It just comes with the energy and this being such an aggressive game and so intense, I think I was just a little crazy,” Watkins said. “It was just a great environment and I think that brings that out in me. I’m just glad I was able to chill out and get the dub.”

Aaronette Vonleh led the Buff in scoring with 18 points and Quay Miller added 12 points.

Colorado shot 44% in the second half and finished the game shooting 57% from the field and 53% from the three-point line.

(Photo by DeAngelo Scruggs / fi360 News)

In the second half, the Trojans obtained their largest lead of the game as they were ahead by 15 points in the fourth. USC shot 52% in the second half and concluded the game shooting 56% from the field and 68% from behind the arc.

When describing the game post game Head Coach Lindsay Gotlieb said “It felt like a heavyweight prize fight on a Friday night and I don’t even know anything about boxing”. “I was proud of the way that we stayed together amidst any kind of adversity. Even when we were giving up some buckets I felt like we were locked in and together and could figure out a way to get stops.”

USC now prepares to face No.18 Utah Utes on Sunday in their last regular season home game.