In a showdown between top 15 teams, #7 USC emerged victorious over #11 Colorado with an 87-81 triumph at the Galen Center. The defeat marks the third consecutive loss for the women’s Buffaloes, bringing their season record to 20-6 overall and 10-5 in the Pac-12. Meanwhile, the Trojans secured their seventh consecutive win, improving to 21-3 for the season and bolstering their position in the race for the Pac-12 regular-season title.
Photo Cred: SI
Colorado’s struggles with fouls proved decisive, accumulating 24 team fouls throughout the game and allowing USC’s standout freshman, JuJu Watkins, to attempt a remarkable 18 free throws. Watkins capitalized on this opportunity, sinking all 18 attempts and finishing the game with an impressive 42 points, along with four steals on the defensive end. Watkins’ stellar performance was complemented by McKenzie Forbes, who contributed 24 points and 7 assists, propelling the Trojans past the Buffaloes. Notably, USC’s starting lineup shone brightly, with the bench failing to score a single point throughout the matchup.
While both teams made frequent trips to the free-throw line, USC’s efficiency stood out, converting 96% of their attempts compared to Colorado’s subpar 65%. Early foul trouble plagued Colorado, with Kindyll Wetta receiving two fouls within the first minute of play, leading to an extended stint on the bench in the opening quarter. Although Wetta managed to avoid fouling out, the Buffaloes continued to struggle with fouls, resulting in key players Jaylyn Sherrod and Aaronette Vonleh fouling out in the fourth quarter.
Photo Cred: Pac-12
Despite the Buffaloes’ resilience, USC maintained control, leading by as many as 13 points in the first half before ultimately securing the victory. In addition to their success from the free-throw line, USC showcased their prowess from behind the arc, connecting on 13 three-pointers at an impressive 68.4% accuracy. Watkins and Forbes each contributed significantly to this effort, with Kayla Padilla adding further support.
With this crucial win, USC remains in contention for the Pac-12 regular-season title, currently trailing conference leaders Stanford by just one game. Their next challenge comes against 18th-ranked Utah on Sunday, providing another opportunity to bolster their postseason aspirations. Conversely, Colorado’s loss drops them to fifth place in the conference standings, setting the stage for another top 15 matchup against #12 UCLA. The Buffaloes will seek to halt their losing streak before concluding the season with matchups against Washington and Washington State.
