JuJu Watkins played what was arguably the best game of the women’s college basketball season on Friday night against Stanford. Everyone is talking about it, and rightly so. How could anyone not be amazed by JuJu after her 51-point performance? JuJu shot over 50 percent from the field (14 of 26) and the 3-point line (6 of 11) while taking 19 free throws and making 17 of them in a fully dominant display. Stanford entered the game as the No. 4 team in the country and the first-place team in the Pac-12, and Watkins simply torched the Cardinal all night long. It was a giant effort in a huge game on a big stage. It was a signature moment from a freshman superstar who is just getting started at USC.
Yet, as great as JuJu was, one other aspect of this USC win has to be discussed: The Trojans were extremely tough and resolute in the final minutes of the game. The other players on the court showed a lot of heart an were essential to the win. Let’s provide more details on this from USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb and other observers: