The historical freshman All-American run for USC star Juju Watkins ended Monday night as the Trojans came up short against UConn in the Elite Eight. The Huskies defeated the Trojans 80-73 in a highly competitive match-up. The game lived up to what most expected.
The battle between the two elite programs consisted of runs and momentum changes. USC opened the first quarter strong leading fifteen to six around the three-minute mark. Watkins led the Trojans on an eight-point run, but the Huskies quickly responded and sparked a nine-point run at the end of period one. Despite both teams getting hot early, USC found themselves in front at the end of the quarter 17-15.
UConn took charge going into the second quarter holding a 24-19 margin over the Trojans. USC struggled desperately to score within the opening minutes of the second. With the quarter coming to an end the Huskies led 33-27. Junior center Rayah Marshall stepped up offensively and defensively for the Trojans scoring necessary points in the paint and knocking down two critical free throws to help USC tie the game 33-33 at halftime.
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UConn opened the third quarter with no mercy going on an 8-0 run. The Huskies dominated the majority of the third leading by as many as 12 points (52-40) around the four-minute mark. USC did not panic and closed the quarter trailing by two. Despite getting clutch three-pointers from red-shirt sophomore guard Taylor Bigby and graduate student guard Kayla Padilla, USC was down by four at the end of the third.
In the fourth, both teams traded leads with the Huskies in favor. With the help of Watkins sparking a 4-0 run, USC was only down by one (64-65) with less than five minutes left in the game. Shortly after USC regained momentum the Huskies responded going on an 11-0 run 76-64 with less than two minutes left on the clock. Graduate student forward McKenzie Forbes, Marshall, and Watkins scored the final points for the Trojans as UConn closed the game from the free-throw line.
Despite the Trojans coming up short, Watkins displayed an unforgettable freshman season. Against the Huskies, she scored a game-high 29 points and finished the season with 920 points. Watkins also became the all-time freshman scoring leader in NCAA women’s basketball history.
Watkins explained her struggles against the Huskies in her post game press conference.
“(UConn) played great defense. Every time I got past the first line, someone was there,” she said. (Espn.com)
UConn was led by junior guard Paige Bueckers who scored 28 points, went 11 for 23 in field goals, and shot perfect from the free throw line.
Bueckers reflected on her journey to reaching this milestone after tearing her ACL around this time last year.
“Today was one of the most rewarding feelings I’ve ever felt in my life,” Bueckers said. “Just seeing where I was a year ago, today, doing individual workouts, starting to feel the basketball again, get the ball in my hands again and play. Now I’m here with my teammates and coaching staff going to the Final Four.” (Cbssports.com)
UConn will next face number-one seed Iowa on Friday.
