JuJu Watkins stepped back onto the court for USC on Sunday after a 580-day absence. And the No. 3 Trojans needed every one of her 18 points to hold off Cal 78-76 in an NCAA women's college basketball exhibition game at Galen Center.
Juju Watkins Returns to Form for USC Ahead of Regular Season
The redshirt junior guard won AP Player of the Year honors in 2024/25 before tearing her ACL during that season's NCAA basketball tournament. Still, she wasted no time finding her rhythm during USC exhibition matchup, putting the Trojans on the board in just 14 seconds of play.
Later, she buried a pull-up jumper to close the second quarter, tying the scoreboard at 33. By the end of the game, Watkins finished with three steals and two blocks across 23 minutes in rotation.
But the senior wasn't alone in earning USC the win. Freshman Saniyah Hall led all scorers with 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting in her debut as a Trojan, while Jazzy Davidson chipped in 18 points and a game-high seven assists. Davidson's late free throws proved decisive after Cal guard Lulu Twidale cut the deficit to two point with a jumper and 11 seconds left.
Despite the tight finish, USC's depth was evident. The Trojans posted 14 steals and outscored Cal 25-2 on the fast break. With Watkins back alongside Hall and Davidson, the program tips off its regular season on November 2nd at UNLV.
