HARTFORD, Conn. — JuJu Watkins didn’t smile like some of her other teammates throughout warm-ups Saturday. It seemed like she was in her own little world.
Some of those around USC’s program said Watkins is always locked in on game day.
“She’s always ready,” one staffer said.
During the national anthem, Watkins stood as still as a statue, her head down and eyes closed. She didn’t even flinch when the saxophone played a piercingly high note toward the end of the song.
Watkins meant business on Saturday.
From the moment the game ball was tossed into the air to the final horn on a 72-70 win, Watkins was doing everything she could to help No. 7 USC get its payback on No. 4 Connecticut after the Huskies dismissed the Trojans from the NCAA Tournament in the Elite Eight not even nine months ago.
She led the Trojans’ scoring barrage in the first half with 15 points on 6 of 10 shooting. She disrupted Connecticut’s passing lanes, dove for loose balls and blocked shots.
Her teammates fed off her fire.
The Huskies didn’t have any answers for Watkins and USC’s hot 3-point shooting. They trailed 42-29 at the half.
But even as Paige Bueckers led Connecticut on an inspiring second-half comeback, Watkins and the rest of USC managed to survive and beat the Huskies.
Redemption is sweet.
The final seconds had plenty of drama.
Bueckers appeared frustrated in the second quarter.
Who could blame her?
Between No. 7 USC and No. 4 Connecticut was billed as the “best show on court” with Bueckers and Watkins headlining as the stars.
But for the first half, it was USC’s show, with Watkins leading the charge.
Near the midway point of the fourth quarter, Bueckers knocked down a jumper, making it a one-point game, and sent the sold-out XL Center into delirium. Bueckers celebrated the bucket by tightening her arms and yelling.
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On Connecticut’s next possession, the Huskies took a one-point lead off a Sarah Strong go-ahead layup.
With 31.1 seconds left and USC up by two, Watkins stood at the free throw line and faced the Connecticut student section.
White pom-poms and long balloons ferociously shook in her peripheral vision. Her first free throw was slightly off the mark and the ball dramatically rolled off the rim. Her second was good, giving the Trojans a 70-67 lead.
Watkins made a critical mistake when she fouled Strong on a 3-point attempt with only seconds remaining. Strong made her first free throw but missed the second and third. She then tried to throw a Hail Mary 3 at the end, but Watkins, with her hands up, blocked Strong’s view.
As time expired, Watkins waved farewell to the fans.
The Bueckers and Watkins’ showdown lived up to the hype.
It had the drama of a gritty Huskies’ revival and showed the resilience of Watkins and the Trojans.
This time, Watkins and USC had the upper hand on Connecticut.
Watkins finished with a game-high 25 points. She also had six rebounds and five assists. Bueckers scored 15 of her 22 points in the second half.
Saturday’s game showed Watkins’ growth over the last season. She was efficient with her shot making. The gravitational pull she has, opened opportunities for her teammates.
