JuJu Watkins and USC, without Rayah Marshall, beat No. 2 UCLA, move to 13-1

USC learned just before its massive women’s basketball game against No. 2 UCLA on Sunday that elite defender-rebounder Rayah Marshall would not play. She was sick. She obviously wanted to play but got derailed by illness. It was a horrible stroke of luck, and it was easy for the Trojans to think they were in huge trouble against an unbeaten UCLA team which had looked like a juggernaut for most of the season. That UCLA team also gave USC its only loss of the campaign.

The Trojans had to try to put up a fight. They waited all week for this game, having not played since last Sunday. Not having a game on Friday night did leave USC’s players — the ones healthy enough to play — very fresh.

That mattered, but mere energy isn’t enough. USC had to tend to its assignments and make a ton of key plays under pressure against a UCLA squad likely to be a No. 1 seed in March Madness.

The Trojans answered the bell, scoring a huge 73-65 win before a packed house at the Galen Center.

Let’s take you through some of the key details of the game and look ahead a little, after the Trojans made a huge national — and local — statement to the Bruins:

NOT GOOD JUJU -- GREAT JUJU

JuJu Watkins played like a superstar. She scored 32 points, but she contributed in so many other ways: 10 boards, 3 assists, 3 steals, 3 blocked shots. That’s ridiculous. She is ridiculous.

USC has her, no one else does. Many times, that will be the difference for the Trojans.

READ THIS IF YOU MISSED IT

JUJU AT THE FOUL LINE

In the piece we wrote one week ago, we mentioned that a player as great as JuJu Watkins needs to find easier ways to score, chiefly at the foul line.

JuJu proceeded to earn 16 free throw attempts against UCLA, making all 16. That’s 16 points without needing to work hard against the Bruins’ defense. If JuJu can take 16 free throws in every remaining game this season, USC’s coaching staff will sign on the dotted line. That’s a great number. It’s a good target for JuJu and USC to have.

FORBES AND PADILLA

JuJu is the superstar, but McKenzie Forbes and Kayla Padilla — the Ivy League transfers brought in for this season — need to provide help. They did. Forbes scored 18 and Padilla 13, and they both delivered key baskets to hold off UCLA in the fourth quarter. If Forbes and Padilla play well, defenses can’t focus solely on stopping JuJu. USC becomes a very tough out if the role players are rolling.

ELITE D WITHOUT RAYAH MARSHALL

That woman in USC gold in the middle of the photo is assistant coach Beth Burns, essentially the Trojans’ defensive coordinator while Gottlieb handles more at the offensive end. Burns’ defense was great even without Rayah Marshall against UCLA. The Trojans forced 22 UCLA turnovers and held the Bruins to 4-of-22 shooting on 3-pointers. UCLA finished with just 65 points. That’s a powerful offense USC contained, even while shorthanded.

PAC-12 RACE

Stanford picked up its first Pac-12 loss of the season on Sunday. With USC beating UCLA, Colorado is the only team without a loss in Pac-12 play. USC is one game behind the Buffaloes and is right in the middle of the Pac-12 race. Notably, though, USC has already played UCLA twice. The Bruins are going to beat a lot of other teams. USC doesn’t have to play UCLA again (until the Pac-12 Tournament).

The Trojans have a real shot at the Pac-12 title.

NCAA TOURNAMENT SEEDING

This win moves USC to 13-1 with a win over an elite opponent. The Trojans are almost certain to be a top-three seed at the NCAA Tournament. Only a collapse would prevent them from doing so. Provided that no collapse occurs, USC is firmly in the hunt for a No. 2 or No. 1 seed.

USC has fully arrived. Last season, the Trojans were an 8 seed. Now they’re in the big leagues and showing they can beat other top opponents.

Story originally appeared on Trojans Wire