Heading into the final weekend of the regular season, No. 7 USC (23-5, 13-5 Pac-12) had one mission: win out and secure the No. 2 seed in the upcoming Pac-12 women’s basketball tournament. Two hard-fought victories over the Arizona schools got the Trojans to the promised land, plus the season sweep of both teams. USC will enter Pac-12 tournament play as victors of nine of its last 10 games.
On Saturday in Tempe, USC handed Arizona State (11-19, 3-15 Pac-12) its fifth consecutive loss in a game that was never really close, ending in a 70-55 rout. The Trojans showed no signs of fatigue, despite playing 50 minutes in a grueling, double-overtime win over Arizona just two days prior.
Junior center Rayah Marshall’s impact was immense on both ends of the floor, as she posted her second double-double of the road trip. The 6-foot-4 Los Angeles native has dealt with some consistency issues this season, but she got herself involved against the Sun Devils. Marshall scored 15 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, on top of blocking five shots. She set the tone early for USC, scoring seven points in the first, and contributed to the team’s success in the paint. The Trojans scored 60% of their points from inside the key.
“As strong as [Marshall] has looked, I thought she also started the year out really well and just had to find her way after her illness at the beginning of conference play,” head coach Lindsay Gottlieb said. “She’s anchored us on defense the whole year; I think she’s found her confidence.”
Freshman guard JuJu Watkins fouled out Thursday at Arizona and couldn’t help her team down the final stretch and into overtime, but she was disciplined against ASU and only picked up one foul. This was the first time Watkins had just a single foul in all of conference play this season. She also limited her turnovers while tallying 26 points and 12 rebounds. Watkins started out red-hot with 11 points in the first, but then stepped back a bit in the proceeding frames, allowing her teammates to make their own impact. She continued to show that she could score inside when receiving contact, picking two up and-one chances in the first quarter.
“Coming off of a tough last game, it took a lot of our energy,” Watkins said. “It was important that we finish the year off strong and try our best to close the season out to get us ready for March.”
The Trojans’ defense held down the fort. USC held Arizona State under 33% from the field and added 10 blocks. The Trojans also heavily controlled the glass with 54 boards, while the Sun Devils only had 34. This allowed for 21 second-chance points by USC — ASU had zilch.
“I watched [Watkins] a ton in high school, and you saw some of the qualities that make her so exceptional,” Gottlieb said. “But to carry that over to college and do what she’s done in terms of a production standpoint, leading a team, carrying everything else she carries with the attention, and then to be that poised and graceful … is what makes her uniquely special.”
Graduate forward Kaitlyn Davis became a full-time starter at the beginning of February and has embraced her role ever since. She had nine rebounds and also contributed to the defensive success with three blocks.
Junior center Clarice Akunwafo, while only on the court for 10 minutes, was also a force on the backboard, tallying seven rebounds.
“We always play together and we pick each other up when one is down,” Watkins said. “We all play collectively.”
Securing the No. 2 seed means that the Trojans will have a first-round bye in the conference tournament. Instead, USC will wait to face the winner of the opening-round matchup between No. 7-seeded Arizona versus No. 10-seeded Washington. This will be advantageous for the Trojans considering the top six teams in the Pac-12 are all ranked.
With the regular season over, the Trojans’ postseason mindset will be in full force. Anything can happen in Sin City, and USC will look to build on recent momentum to not only be successful in the conference tournament, but also in March Madness, as USC appears set to be a host the opening weekend.
USC’s quarterfinal matchup in the Pac-12 tournament will take place on March 7 at 6 p.m. at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.