Rivalry Game Kicks Off Early
The tension was palpable even before the game started, with UCLA fans cheering loudly in the upper deck at the Galen Center. Their applause drew the attention of USC students, who responded with applause of their own. It felt like a fervent Sunday showdown.
In less than five minutes, the Bruins took control, quickly establishing a double-digit lead. They ultimately dominated the game, cruising to a 73-50 win, which underscored their upward trajectory this season.
UCLA (28-1, 18-0 Big Ten) is eyeing its first NCAA title, while USC (17-12, 9-9) scrambles to make the tournament, struggling without their star player, JuJu Watkins.
The Trojans’ aspirations were overshadowed by their sidelined star and basketball legend Sheryl Miller, who was spotted across the street sporting a “BEAT UCLA” T-shirt.
By halftime, the Bruins had surged to an impressive 18-point lead. It became clear that their ambitions were steadily slipping away; this match completed their regular season sweep of the Trojans and marked their third consecutive victory over them, largely thanks to an overpowering rebounding performance.
Interestingly, UCLA also made headlines by becoming the first team since Maryland in 2014-15 to finish the Big Ten regular season undefeated.
On a bittersweet note, the game served as a farewell for USC’s Karla Dunn and Londyn Jones in front of a full house. Dunn contributed eight points, while Jones, a former UCLA player, ended the game with nine.
USC had a promising start in the third quarter, closing the gap to single digits at one point. However, Gabriela Jack’s timely corner three helped solidify UCLA’s 22nd consecutive win.
What It Means
After the latest NCAA Tournament seedings were revealed, UCLA was named the No. 1 overall seed, with UConn also in the mix. While the victory against USC may not shift the standings, it certainly keeps the Bruins in the running for the top spot.
Meanwhile, USC, still on a three-game losing streak, faces an uphill battle in the upcoming Big Ten Tournament if they hope to secure their NCAA Tournament berth. They do have a solid record, including four Quad 1 wins, and were ranked No. 22 in the NET rankings before this game.
Turning Point
It was clear from the moment UCLA stepped onto their team bus in Westwood that they were in a league of their own, having outscored their rivals by an aggregate of 57 points in their games this season.
MVP
Charice Leger-Walker, often underestimated in UCLA’s lineup, again proved her worth. As the Trojans attempted to rally late in the third quarter, Walker hit a jumper and a three-pointer, extending the Bruins’ lead to 57-36. She finished with 20 points, shooting 8 of 13, along with six rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
To the Next
Both teams are heading into the Big Ten Tournament, albeit on very different paths. Top-seeded UCLA starts in the quarterfinals with a bye on Friday. In contrast, No. 9 seed USC will face No. 8 seed Washington on Thursday, and should they advance, a rematch in the quarterfinals might await.
