JuJu Watkins Leads No. 3 USC to 118-40 Victory Over Utah State
The senior guard contributed 32 points, 16 rebounds, and five steals in her return after missing 20 months.
By Jonathan Ramirez ·
JuJu Watkins returned to the court for No. 3 USC on Sunday, guiding the Trojans to a 118-40 win over Utah State.
Watkins recorded 32 points, 16 rebounds, six assists, and five steals in the game at the Galen Center. The performance marked her first appearance since suffering a torn ACL, a injury that kept her off the floor for 20 months. Fans gave her a standing ovation when she was substituted out with 2:34 remaining in the game.
The senior had already established her scoring form in the season opener, where she contributed 21 points in a 100-68 defeat of UNLV in Nevada. Across those two games, USC (2-0) has seen Watkins total 53 points. She closed the first quarter of the Utah State matchup with a buzzer-beating pull-up jumper from 15 feet, extending the lead to 36-11.
USC relied on balanced offense beyond its star player, with six players scoring in double figures. Saniyah Hall added 20 points for the Trojans. Utah State (1-2) found its best scoring from Kylani Rookstool, who had 12 points, while Sami Mancini added 10.
The Trojans built a commanding lead in the first half, trailing no one as they reached a 55-22 advantage at the break. Watkins finished the half with 16 points and nine rebounds, nearly securing a double-double before the second half began. The team now hosts College of Charleston on Tuesday, while Utah State travels to face Idaho State on Wednesday.
