The energy inside Pauley Pavilion on January 3, 2026, felt like a Final Four matchup, but the final usc ucla women's basketball box score told a much colder story for the Trojans. It was a 34-point blowout. Honestly, if you just looked at the 80-46 final, you’d think one team didn't show up. But for the first ten minutes? It was a street fight.
The game was tied 16-16 after the first quarter. There were six ties and five lead changes in that opening frame alone. Then the wheels didn't just come off for USC—they basically disintegrated.
The Quarter That Changed Everything
While the first quarter was a slugfest, the second period was a clinic. UCLA outscored USC 27-12. The Bruins went on a 14-0 run late in the half that basically sucked the air out of the building. Lauren Betts was a problem. A big one. At 6-foot-7, she anchored a UCLA frontcourt that average 6-foot-2 across the roster. USC’s tallest starter, Yakiya Milton, is 6-foot-4, but size isn't just about height; it’s about how Betts uses it.
She finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds. She also had 3 blocks. USC had no answer for her in the paint, where UCLA dominated 42-10.
Why JuJu Watkins Wasn't on the Floor
You can't talk about this box score without mentioning the elephant in the room. JuJu Watkins, arguably the best player in the country, was watching from the bench in a tracksuit. She’s currently sitting out the 2025-26 season while recovering from a torn ACL.
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Without her 24-plus points per game, the Trojans' offense looked stagnant. They shot 27% from the field. That’s not going to win games in the Big Ten, especially not against the #4 team in the country. Freshman Jazzy Davidson tried to carry the load, but UCLA's defensive pressure was suffocating. Davidson finished with 10 points but shot 4-of-15.
Breaking Down the Key Individual Stats
The usc ucla women's basketball box score shows a massive disparity in efficiency. UCLA shot 52.6% from the floor. USC? A measly 27%.
UCLA Bruins Standouts:
- Lauren Betts: 18 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks. (Efficiency personified).
- Gianna Kneepkens: 15 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists. (The Utah transfer is fitting in perfectly).
- Kiki Rice: 14 points, 8 assists, 2 rebounds. (She ran the show with zero turnovers).
- Gabriela Jaquez: 12 points, 6 rebounds. (Brought the grit in 33 minutes of play).
USC Trojans Standouts:
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- Kara Dunn: 11 points, 1 rebound, 3-of-7 from deep. (The only real scoring threat).
- Jazzy Davidson: 10 points, 2 rebounds, 3 blocks. (The freshman phenom struggled with the double-teams).
- Malia Samuels: 7 points, 2 rebounds, 3-of-3 FG. (A bright spot off the bench).
The Londynn Jones Homecoming
It was weird seeing Londynn Jones in a USC jersey. After three years at UCLA, she crossed the street to join the Trojans. The Pauley Pavilion crowd didn't forget. They booed her every time she touched the ball. It clearly got to her. She finished with 6 points on 1-of-9 shooting. She even airballed a shot in the first quarter, which basically became the soundtrack for the rest of the night.
The Defensive Masterclass
UCLA coach Cori Close has built a defensive monster. They held USC to just 6 points in the entire fourth quarter. Think about that. Ten minutes of college basketball and the #17 team in the country only managed three buckets.
The Bruins forced 14 turnovers, but more importantly, they forced USC into "bad" shots. The Trojans were constantly settling for contested midrange jumpers or forced drives into the chest of Lauren Betts.
Series History and Big Ten Standings
This win wasn't just about bragging rights. It moved UCLA to 14-1 overall and 4-0 in the Big Ten, giving them sole possession of first place. It also broke the all-time series tie. Coming into the night, the rivalry was deadlocked at 54-54. Now? The Bruins lead 55-54.
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| Quarter | USC Trojans | UCLA Bruins |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 16 | 16 |
| 2nd | 12 | 27 |
| 3rd | 12 | 22 |
| 4th | 6 | 15 |
| Total | 46 | 80 |
What's Next for Both Programs?
USC needs to find an offensive identity that doesn't rely on a miracle from Jazzy Davidson every possession. They host Oregon next, and if they don't fix the spacing issues, that 0-3 record against Top-5 teams is going to start weighing on their confidence.
UCLA, on the other hand, looks like a legitimate national title contender. They head to Lincoln to take on #20 Nebraska on January 11. If Betts stays healthy and Kneepkens continues to facilitate the way she did against USC, they’re the team to beat in the Big Ten.
Check the injury reports for the next meeting at Galen Center. If USC can get some of their secondary scoring healthy, the next usc ucla women's basketball box score might actually be competitive. But for now? Los Angeles is blue and gold.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch the Paint: In future matchups, keep an eye on the "Points in the Paint" stat. USC was outscored 42-10 there; they must find a way to deny Lauren Betts deep post position.
- Freshman Growth: Track Jazzy Davidson’s shooting percentages against ranked teams. Her ability to adapt to "length" will determine USC’s ceiling this season.
- Transfer Impact: Gianna Kneepkens and Charlisse Leger-Walker have transformed UCLA’s perimeter play. Watch how their assist-to-turnover ratios hold up on the road in the Big Ten.