Saturday night’s contest between No. 4 UCLA (then 13-1, 3-0 Big Ten) and No. 17 USC (then 10-3, 2-0 Big Ten) served not only as a rematch of the women’s 2025 Big Ten Championship, but the 109th edition of a back and forth, high-stakes rivalry with an all-time series tied at 54-54.
While both teams are historically even, there was nothing close about the Bruins’ rout of their crosstown rivals Saturday evening, as UCLA trounced rival USC in an 80-46 drubbing at Pauley Pavilion. The Bruins put together a dominant defensive display, highlighted by a fourth quarter where they held the Trojans to only six points.
Senior center Lauren Betts led UCLA in scoring and rebounding with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Close behind was graduate guard Gianna Kneepkens, who contributed an efficient 15 points and displayed impressive shot-making ability. Senior guard Kiki Rice ran the offense effectively, chipping in 14 points and eight assists.
The Trojans sorely missed the offensive spark of their star guard Juju Watkins, who is still recovering from a torn ACL suffered last March. The Bruins’ suffocating atmosphere showed no mercy even for a familiar face, as USC guard Londynn Jones, who had spent the previous three seasons in Westwood before transferring as a senior, was showered with boos from the Pauley crowd every time she touched the ball.
The game also showcased the newest talents of the women’s game, as USC guard Jazzy Davidson and UCLA freshman forward Sienna Betts were the number one and two recruits of the freshman class, respectively. Davidson, who leads the Trojans in scoring with 16 points per game, was held in check for only 10 points on 4/15 shooting.
Both teams were actually level after the first quarter, as the Trojans started hot from three point land, shooting 4/5 in the period. USC’s high press frustrated UCLA early, forcing bad passes that led to six Bruin turnovers and a 16-16 score after 10 minutes.
The Bruins finally started rolling in the second quarter, having their way on offense and breaking the game open with a 14-0 run. Meanwhile, the Trojans went ice cold, missing eight consecutive shots and continuously getting out-rebounded and outscored in the paint. UCLA’s 43-28 lead at half-time, emphasized by a clean euro-step layup from Rice to close the half, would never again be in jeopardy.
The gap would only widen during a second half where the Trojans put up a measly 18 points, encapsulating a difficult night where they were held to 27% from the field. The Bruins dominated USC in every category, demonstrating their physicality and strength by shooting 11 more free throws, grabbing 20 more rebounds, dishing 14 more assists and scoring 32 more points in the paint.
UCLA’s next matchup is another Big Ten challenge, as they will travel to face No. 20 Nebraska on Sunday, Jan. 11.
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Featured Image Photographed by Regan Rhodes/BruinLife
