It’s A Sweet 16 for Bruins and Women of Troy
Watkins got help against Kansas from senior guard McKenzie Forbes, who chipped in 20 points, three rebounds, and three assists with a steal and a pair of blocks in 39 minutes of action.
Earl Heath
Contributing Sports Writer
Both L. A. PAC12 women’s teams have earned their way into the NCAA Sweet 16. The schools had decisive wins early in the tournament.
USC opened the with a 87-55 win over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi JuJu Watkins had 23 points 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Ryah Marshall added 10 and 11 rebounds.
In the second round Watkins led the women of Troy over Kansas. The freshman guard, with Walter Camp Player of The Year and NFL Draft top prospect Caleb Williams in attendance walloped the Jayhawks for 28 points on 9-for-21 shooting from the field, including four 3-pointers and a 6-for-8 line from the charity stripe, while adding 11 rebounds, five assists, and two steals in 37 minutes of floor duty.
Watkins got help against Kansas from senior guard McKenzie Forbes, who chipped in 20 points, three rebounds, and three assists with a steal and a pair of blocks in 39 minutes of action.
The Sierra Canyon High Alum has scored 51 points through two games in the tournament with 16 rebounds, nine assists, and four steals.
USC guard JuJu Watkins passes in front of Kansas guard Wyvette Mayberry (0) and center Taiyanna Jackson (1) during the Trojans’ victory in the second round of the NCAA tournament Monday at Galen Center. Watkins finished with 28 points and 11 rebounds. (Ashley Landis / Associated Press)
All-American Cheryl Miller has been at several games this season. It was an extra special win for the Trojans, as it sent the program to the Sweet 16 for just the first time since Miller-coached USC women’s team in the 1993-94 college basketball season. That team was stacked with great talent, as the roster at the time featured the likes of Lisa Leslie, Tina Thompson, Nicky McCrimmon, and Michell Campbell, who all eventually landed in the WNBA. While Thompson and Leslie made it to the Hall of Fame.
UCLA —After a easy 29 point win over Cal Baptist The No. 2 seeded UCLA women’s basketball team rallied from a 10-point second-half deficit to beat seventh-seeded Creighton 67-63 in NCAA Tournament second-round in front of 7,839 at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom.
Kiki Rice scored 17 of her game-high 24 points in the second half.
Lauren Betts earned her 12th double-double of the season, totaling 20 points and 10 rebounds. Gabrial Jaquez pulled down a season-high 11 boards to lead all players. UCLA (27-6) out-rebounded the Bluejays by a 40-22 margin, including 12-4 on the offensive boards. The Bruins went to Betts again and again taking advantage of her height advantage. The sophomore’s return to the lineup. She scored her team’s initial six points and made six of nine first-quarter shots from the field for 12 points.
Next up the BRUINS will face 3 seed LSU in Albany, NY. The National Champs defeated Middle Tennessee 83-56 to earn their way. Angel Reese had 20 points 11 rebounds as and while Flau’jae Johnson lead all scorers with 21.
There will be a fight on the boards. UCLA and LSU are the nation’s top two rebounding teams. UCLA leads the sport in rebounding rate with LSU sitting second. On the offensively, LSU leads the way with UCLA ranking third. Together, the two combine to average 90 rebounds per game. The game will take place 10 AM Saturday March 30.
