Watkins scores 26 points, leads USC over Arizona State

The JuJu Watkins show has enthralled women's college basketball for much of the season, with the USC freshman sensation pouring in points at a clip rarely seen by such a young player.

Now that the Trojans are heading to the postseason, it might be time for a rebrand.

Watkins has a few teammates ready to star in March.

Watkins scored 26 points, Rayah Marshall added 15 points and 15 rebounds, and No. 7 USC ended its regular season with a 70-55 victory over Arizona State on Saturday in Tempe, Ariz.

“The team's evolved where we really understand that we always have JuJu — the best player on the floor — but we also have other pieces and other things,” USC coach Lindsey Gottlieb said. “It makes us harder to guard.”

USC (23-5, 13-5 Pac-12) has won nine of its last 10 games. Watkins, averaging nearly 28 points, shot 10 of 22 from the field, grabbed 12 rebounds and had three assists. Kaitlyn Davis added 6 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks.

“We always play together and pick each other up when one is down,” Watkins said.

The Trojans were coming off a difficult, 95-93 doubleovertime win over Arizona on Thursday. There wasn't as much drama on Saturday

TEMPE, ARIZ. >> THE SCORE

USC 70, ARIZONA STATE 55

Up next: USC vs. ArizonaWashington winner, Pac-12 tournament, Thursday, 6 p.m., Pac-12 Network

SUMMARY

USC (23-5)

Davis 3-9 0-0 6, Marshall 6-10 3-5 15, Forbes 2-10 0-0 4, Padilla 2-6 0-0 4, Watkins 10-22 5-5 26, Akunwafo 2-3 0-0 4, Bigby 1-5 0-0 3, Darius 1-2 1-2 4, Makolo 0-0 0-0 0, Samuels 0-0 1-2 1, Williams 1-2 0-0 3, Totals 28-69 10-14 70

ARIZONA STATE (11-19)

Miller 0-5 0-0 0, Brown 7-19 2-2 17, Crisp 4-11 5-6 16, Simmons 2-7 0-0 4, Sousa 4-6 0-0 9, Magolico 3-9 0-0 6, Thompson 0-3 3-4 3, Toure 0-1 0-2 0, Novosel 0-0 0-0 0, Totals 20-61 10-14 55

3-Point Goals: USC 4-18 (Forbes 0-2, Padilla 0-4, Watkins 1-5, Bigby 1-5,

Darius 1-1, Williams 1-1), Arizona St. 5-10 (Miller 0-1, Brown 1-3, Crisp 3-4, Sousa 1-2); USC 13 (Forbes 4), Arizona St. 9 (Brown 2, Simmons 2);

None; USC 54 (Marshall 15), Arizona St. 34 (Sousa 8); USC 15, Arizona St. 14; None;

2,739.

A:

Assists:

Rebounds:

Fouled Out:

Total Fouls: Technical Fouls:

— USC never trailed.

Watkins scored 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting to push USC ahead 18-12 after one quarter and the Trojans extended their advantage to 39-26 by halftime. The 6-foot-2 guard was back at it in the third quarter, hitting a 15-foot jumper, getting a steal and layup, drawing a charge and then making another bucket — all in less than minute.

“The really amazing thing is that she's not a superhero, she's just JuJu,” Gottlieb said. “That's what she brings every day. She's going to bring points at a high clip, she's going to cause all this attention on that end, and she's going to rebound and make the right decision.”