One week after a program-defining victory over crosstown rival UCLA, USC Women's Basketball came back down to Earth this weekend in the mountains.
On Friday night, the No. 6 Trojans were blown out 78-58 by No. 20 Utah in Salt Lake City. Then, Sunday afternoon in Boulder, the Women of Troy suffered a heartbreaking 63-59 defeat. Trailing by two points in the game's final seconds, senior guard McKenzie Forbes missed a potential game-tying layup, and the Buffaloes iced the game at the free throw line.
The defeats were just USC's second and third of the season, respectively. The Trojans now sit at 13-3 overall and 3-3 in conference play.
Despite the losses, not all went wrong for the Women of Troy this weekend. After missing the UCLA game due to an illness, junior center Rayah Marshall returned to the court, an encouraging sign as USC will need her as they enter the stretch run.
In addition, guard Juju Watkins continued her stellar freshman season, scoring 20 points against the Utes and 26 against the Buffaloes. Watkins continues to show why she was the number one recruit in the country coming out of high school a year ago, as she has now scored at least 15 points in every game that she has played as a Trojan.
After playing three straight games against top-20 opponents, the schedule will finally get a little easier for the Women of Troy, as seven of their next eight games are against teams not currently ranked in the AP Poll. Up next, they return to Galen Center Friday night to take on Washington State. USC will then be back in action next Sunday afternoon when it hosts Washington.
