By STEVE MIMS The Associated Press
EUGENE, Ore. — JuJu Watkins and the USC women’s basketball team took care of business on Friday night with a much bigger challenge looming on Sunday.
The freshman sensation scored 33 points and 10th-ranked USC defeated Oregon, 88-51, for its fifth consecutive victory.
Watkins shot 12 for 25 from the field, including 3 for 8 from 3-point range, despite leaving the game for a while in the third quarter due to a bloody nose. She also made six of seven free throws and grabbed eight rebounds for the Trojans (19-4 overall, 9-4 Pac-12), who square off with No. 11 Oregon State (21-3, 10-3) on Sunday afternoon in Corvallis.
It was the 10th time Watkins has scored 30 or more points, tying Trojans great Cheryl Miller for the most in one season at USC.
“I can’t say enough about our young superstar,” Coach Lindsay Gottlieb said. “She keeps getting better, she’s coachable and she learns from the film.”
McKenzie Forbes added 12 points for USC, and Kaitlyn Davis had 10 points, 11 rebounds and five assists.
Chance Gray scored 12 to lead the Ducks (11-15, 2-11), who have lost eight straight games – seven against ranked teams. Grace VanSlooten added 11 points, four rebounds and four assists. Phillipina Kyei pulled down 18 rebounds to go with 10 points.
After giving up the first basket of the game, USC responded with 19 points in a row.
“I am super impressed with the way we came out,” Gottlieb said. “Obviously, Oregon has had some struggles in the win-loss department, but watching their games on film they have been there in the third quarter and we know they are going to beat someone. I was impressed with our focus and the way we shot the ball. We still have some things to improve on, but obviously a good win here tonight. It was huge to get that separation early.”
Kayla Padilla scored inside before Watkins followed with a bucket. Watkins had 12 straight points to put the Trojans ahead 17-2 before Rayah Marshall…
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