JuJu Watkins scored 25 factors and No. 7 USC rallied after blowing an 18-point second-half result in beat Paige Bueckers and fourth-ranked UConn 72-70 on Saturday night time.
The match was a rematch of final season’s match Elite Eight Competition that the Huskies gained and featured two of the very best gamers in girls’s faculty basketball with All-Americans Bueckers and Watkins. The two protected one another for many of the match.
Bueckers completed with 22 factors.
With the sport tied at 67, Watkins handed the ball to Rayah Marshall for a layup with 1:21 left to provide USC the lead.
After a Huskies miss, Watkins was fouled with 31 seconds left. He missed the primary of two free throws because the ball hung on the rim for a couple of seconds earlier than falling. He made the second to provide the Trojans (11-1) a 70-67 lead.
UConn (10-2), which trailed 51-33 within the third quarter earlier than the break, responded with a Sarah Strong basket to take the lead once more 4 seconds later.
Watkins then made two free throws with 19.5 seconds left to make it 72-69.
The Huskies had one final likelihood to tie when Strong was fouled taking pictures a 3-pointer with 5 seconds left. He made the primary free throw, however missed the second. The freshman deliberately missed the third and UConn obtained the rebound. It lastly went to Strong, whose gasp of desperation on the buzzer was off.
Stay updated with the highlights
Women’s College Basketball – USC Connecticut
Takeaway
USC: This was the Trojans’ first take a look at since shedding to Notre Dame on Nov. 23. They will now face three Big Ten groups of their subsequent 4 video games.
UConn: This was the second high 10 staff the Huskies have confronted this season and they’re now 0-2 after additionally falling to Notre Dame.
Key second
Early within the third quarter, Watkins he blocked Bueckers’ shot then took the ball the opposite method and scored after operating it by way of his legs with the UConn star guarding it.
Key statistic
One recreation after hitting a school-record 20 3-pointers, UConn was simply 6 of 23 from behind the 3-point arc.
Next
USC: Hosts Michigan on Dec. 29.
UConn: Hosts Providence on Dec. 29.
Associated Press reporting.
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Ju Ju Watkins
Paige Bueckers
Women’s varsity basketball
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