The No. 7 ranked USC Trojans women's basketball team secured the biggest win of their 2024-25 regular season on Saturday, defeating the No. 4 ranked UConn Huskies 72-70 at the XL Center, Connecticut. This remarkable triumph not only avenges their previous loss to UConn during the Elite Eight of last year's NCAA Tournament but also marks USC's first marquee win of the season.
Prior to Saturday’s game, there was palpable tension; the stakes were high for both teams. Just eight months ago, the Trojans faced heartbreak when UConn, then led by their star Paige Bueckers, clinched victory, sending USC home without the chance to vie for the championship. This time, it was USC's superstar sophomore, JuJu Watkins, who took center stage, finishing with 25 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks, proving to be the best player on the court.
Watkins expressed the significance of the win after the game, saying, "It feels great to get the [win] always. I think it hit a little different, knowing the history of last year and how they sent us home. Just to see everybody out there, all my family here, and all the USC fans, it meant the world." Clearly, the emotions were high for players who had experienced the sting of last year's defeat.
On the other side of the court, Bueckers and her teammate Sarah Strong also put up impressive numbers, with both scoring 22 points apiece. Strong, who had 13 rebounds, showcased her potential and resilience. But unfortunately, it was her missed free throws late in the game, stemming from being fouled by Watkins, which became pivotal moments. Strong's struggle to convert from the line, missing two of three attempts, left UConn with unfulfilled hopes of tying the game.
At the final moments of the game, Bueckers grabbed Strong’s missed rebound and attempted to capitalize with a final shot. The last-second three-pointer fell short, confirming UConn's defeat. Reflecting on the loss, Bueckers defended Strong, stating, "Just to be clear, this game was not won or lost with those three free throws. Sarah was a huge part of our comeback and the reason we were even in the game."
UConn's legendary head coach, Geno Auriemma, has always been candid about the pressures faced by his young players. After the game, he ensured no blame was directed solely at Strong. He remarked, "This is not something that's going to sit well with Sarah, but hopefully only for a day or two. I would put her in those situations every single game for the rest of the season and have confidence she's going to come through." Auriemma's unwavering support encapsulates his philosophy of building resilience within his athletes.
The electric atmosphere at the XL Center boasted attendance figures nearing 16,000 fans, serving as both recognition of the growing popularity of women’s college basketball and the magnitude of this game. Auriemma himself reminisced about the early days of UConn basketball, comparing the current crowd size to the nearly empty gym when they first started. “It’s almost like we’re in a different universe. But this is where we are today, and I’m proud to be part of it,” Auriemma noted, emphasizing the incredible evolution of the sport.
With this victory, the Trojans improved to 11-1, positioning themselves as strong contenders for the national title, deserving recognition among the top five teams. On the flip side, UConn, now at 8-2, must regroup and find ways to adapt and perform with consistency. Bueckers stressed the importance of doing just this, affirming, "When we're really good, we're really good. And when we're not, we're not." The team will need to step back, recharge over the holiday break, and return ready to deliver their best performance.
For both teams, the future is bright, but the road to success will require focus, grit, and heart. The rivalry between USC and UConn is certainly one to watch as they each push for dominance within women's college basketball.
