Ju Ju Watkins scored 21 points in her return from an ACL injury, leading USC to a dominant 100-68 victory over UNLV. The star guard played 25 minutes, contributing five rebounds and two assists while shooting 9 of 22 from the field. Her presence energized the Trojans, who built a 13-point halftime lead into a 34-point advantage by the end of the third quarter.
Coach Lindsay Gottlieb praised the team's support for Watkins during her recovery, noting, "The game is just better with her in it." Watkins was not available to the media post-game, but teammates like Jazzy Davidson (23 points) and Saniyah Hall (22 points) flourished alongside her. Gottlieb is carefully managing Watkins' minutes as she rebuilds her rhythm and explosiveness, expecting continued improvement throughout the season. The win marked a emotional milestone for the team, celebrating the return of one of college basketball's top players after a year away from the court.
Source: ESPN General · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing