Los Angeles, CA – The No. 6 Women of Troy came out clicking on all cylinders as they defeated the winless Cal Baptist University Lancers 94-52. Sophomore guard JuJu Watkins set a USC record with nine three-pointers as she scored 40 points in USC’s victory to help them advance to 7-1.
“I say to people, you should get to Galen whenever you can because you never know when something ridiculous is going to happen from Juju. And tonight, what a night from the three-point line”! Head coach Lindsay Gotlieb said after JuJu’s remarkable performance that left her two points shy of tying her Galen Center record of 42 points that was previously set on Feb. 23, 2024, vs. Colorado last season.
The Trojans led by 30 at halftime 50-20, thanks to their defense which recorded 8 of their 12 blocks in the first half. The Lancers were held to 28% shooting from the field making 9 of 32 attempts. USC shot 51% in the first half, making 17 of 33 attempts, and shot 54% from behind the arc connecting on 6 of 11 attempts from deep.
In the second half, USC continued their offensive onslaught. The Trojans shot 53% from the field and defensively held CBU to 37% from the floor. Juju nailed five of her nine three-pointers helping the Trojans round out the game by shooting 52% from the floor and 45% from behind the three-point line.
Talia von Oelhoffen scored 14 points, while Kiki Iriafen and Rayah Marshall each recorded double-doubles with 18 points and 10 rebounds, and 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Grace Schmidt led the Lancers in scoring with 12 points and 7 rebounds. Claudia Fiel added 10 for CBU.
The Trojans’ highly anticipated Big Ten debut will come against a familiar opponent, the Oregon Ducks. The two teams will clash in Eugene on Saturday. Lindsay Gotlieb has this to say as USC prepares for the matchup with the Ducks.“ Saturday is the most important one on our schedule you know thus far because it’s the beginning of conference play and Conference play I think is really the true indicator of how tough you are over the course of a season”.
