USC comes up short against UConn, eliminated in Elite 8 of NCAA women’s tournament
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Despite hanging tough against one of the more storied programs in women’s basketball history, the USC Trojans came up just short in the Elite 8 of the NCAA tournament.
Superstar freshman JuJu Watkins finished with 29 points and 10 rebounds, while McKenzie Forbes chipped in with 24 in the No. 1 seeded Trojans’ 80-73 loss to the No. 3 seeded UConn Huskies.
It was a back-and-forth affair, but the Huskies made more plays when the game was on the line in the fourth quarter.
USC was down by seven early in the final frame, but managed to claw its way back to tie things up at 59-59.
That’s when UConn’s dynamic duo — Paige Bueckers and Aaliyah Edwards — combined for 14 consecutive points to put the Huskies up for good.
Bueckers led UConn with 28 points and 10 rebounds, while Edwards finished with 24 points and 6 rebounds to lead Geno Auriemma’s squad back to the Final Four.
USC’s offensive struggles throughout the game were apparent. The Trojans shot just 32.9% from the field and connected on 9 of 29 attempts from beyond the arc.
The Huskies will play Caitlin Clark and Iowa in the semi-final of the Final Four on Friday. UConn last won the national championship in 2016, which capped off Auriemma’s run of four consecutive titles.
Southern California guard JuJu Watkins (12) tries to get around UConn guard Qadence Samuels during the second half of an Elite Eight college basketball game in the women’s NCAA Tournament, Monday, April 1, 2024, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Steve Dykes) Southern California guard JuJu Watkins (12) reacts after having a shot blocked during the second half of an Elite Eight college basketball game against UConn in the women’s NCAA Tournament, Monday, April 1, 2024, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Howard Lao) Southern California guard JuJu Watkins, center, shoots as UConn forward Ice Brady (25) defends during the second half of an Elite Eight college basketball game in the women’s NCAA Tournament, Monday, April 1, 2024, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Howard Lao) UConn guard Paige Bueckers (5) dribbles the ball as Southern California guard McKenzie Forbes (25) defends during the first half of an Elite Eight college basketball game in the women’s NCAA Tournament, Monday, April 1, 2024, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Howard Lao) Southern California center Rayah Marshall (13) grab a rebound during the first half of an Elite Eight college basketball game against UConn in the women’s NCAA Tournament, Monday, April 1, 2024, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Howard Lao) Southern California guard JuJu Watkins (12) shoots as UConn forward Aaliyah Edwards (3) and Nika Muhl (10) defend during the first half of an Elite Eight college basketball game in the women’s NCAA Tournament, Monday, April 1, 2024, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Howard Lao) UConn forward Aaliyah Edwards (3) shoots during the first half of an Elite Eight college basketball game against Southern California in the women’s NCAA Tournament, Monday, April 1, 2024, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Howard Lao)
Although it was a disappointing loss for the Trojans, the season will go down as a success for the program. USC won the Pac-12 tournament and advanced to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1994.
Watkins — who won Pac-12 Freshman of the Year — also set a record for the most points of any first-year player in NCAA history. The Sierra Canyon grad hit a three-pointer with just over six minutes left in the second quarter to give her 899 points for the season, surpassing Tina Hutchinson’s mark of 898.
The Trojans are expected to be among the favorites to win next year’s championship. Watkins will be back for her sophomore season, and she will be joined by the No. 1 ranked recruiting class in the nation, giving head coach Lindsay Gottlieb a loaded roster for the 2024-25 campaign.
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