USC vs. UCLA — live updates

Posted on January 14, 2024

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WOMEN’S BASKETBALL — 2023-24

USC vs. UCLA — live updates

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Last updated: 3:23 p.m.

January 14, 2024 3:23 PM

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Ethan Thai / Daily Trojan
Ethan Thai / Daily Trojan
Ethan Thai / Daily Trojan
Ethan Thai / Daily Trojan
Ethan Thai / Daily Trojan

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3:23 p.m.

The Bruins are keeping it close in the third quarter, trimming the Trojans’ lead to 10 points. USC has only scored six points in the third quarter to UCLA’s 11, while turning the ball over three times and committing five fouls.

2:52 p.m.

USC could not have had a better start against the No. 2 team in the country. The Trojans lead 34-19 at halftime and have played well in all facets of the game.

JuJu Watkins, despite only being a freshman, is obviously not scared of the Bruin defense, driving through defenders into the paint and finishing with ease. She finishes the half with a team-leading 16 points.

The Bruins, despite strong spurts of play, have been sloppy, with 15 turnovers and 12 personal fouls through the first half.

2:42 p.m.

The Trojans are on an 11-0 run to get their lead up to 12 points. USC leads 28-16 with less than three minutes in the half. Galen Center is going crazy every time the Trojans hit nylon.

2:32 p.m.

And here come the Bruins. USC is forced to call a timeout as UCLA has already scored eight points in the second quarter to trim the Trojans’ lead to one point. USC leads 17-16.

2:27 p.m.

At the end of the first quarter, the Trojans lead the Bruins 15-8. McKenzie Forbes hit two 3-pointers in the last two minutes of the quarter to spur the USC offense. Overall, dismal offense from both teams though, going 7-for-30 from the field in the opening frame.

2:18 p.m.

At the first media timeout of the game, the Trojans and Bruins are tied at 6-6. Both teams were sloppy on offense at the start, but have started to heat up. The teams are a combined 4-for-14 from the field.

1:55 p.m.

Starting lineup for the Trojans:

G JuJu Watkins

G Taylor Bigby

G McKenzie Forbes

G Kayla Padilla

C Clarice Akunwafo

Notably, no Rayah Marshall for USC, as she was ruled out with an illness. The Trojans will be without their leading rebounder this afternoon.

1:26 p.m.

Tip-off between the No. 9 USC Trojans (12-1, 2-1 Pac-12) and the No. 2 UCLA Bruins (14-0, 3-0) is a mere 30 minutes away. USC’s only loss of the season thus far came at the hands of UCLA Dec. 30 at Pauley Pavilion.

Read Kasey Kazliner’s preview to prepare for the matchup: https://dailytrojan.com/2024/01/11/no-9-womens-basketball-seeks-revenge-against-rival-no-2-ucla/

Some news and notes on the matchup:

The Bruins are on a nine-game winning streak against the Trojans, with their last loss to USC being on Jan. 17, 2020.
USC has won 16 straight games at Galen Center.
The Trojans are one of five Pac-12 teams ranked in the most recent Associated Press Top 25 Poll. They are one of four Pac-12 teams in the top 10 of those rankings.
The Bruins received one vote to be ranked as the No. 1 team in the country — only one of two teams to receive a No. 1 vote in the most recent AP Poll — but it was not even close to enough votes to dethrone South Carolina’s (15-0, 3-0 SEC) spot atop the AP Poll, with the Gamecocks garnering 34 No. 1 votes.

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