USC Women's Basketball: How Lindsay Gottlieb Feels About JuJu Watkins' Record-Setting Stanford Game

"I'll never forget this," said Gottlieb.

USC women's basketball head coach Lindsay Gottlieb witnessed an unforgettable night from freshman JuJu Watkins, who had a 51-point performance against Stanford on Friday night.

“I’ll never forget this and again it’s meaningful because it’s our last time playing Stanford in the Pac-12.”

Lindsay Gottlieb via Associated Press

After a devastating loss to unranked Washington, Watkins barely slept. She spent extra time in the gym. Gottlieb even received a phone from a security guard, making sure it was Watkins in the gym.

The extra work paid off.

Watkins hit six three-pointers and was 17-of-19 from the free-throw line en route to handing the Cardinal their first home loss of the season.

Even the home crowd appreciated the historic performance they were witnessing from their opponent, who turned down Stanford when she committed to USC.

“Every time I scored all I heard was ‘oooh.' It wasn’t even like a boo. I was like, ‘All right.’ It was crazy.” 

JuJu Watkins via Associated Press

In the handshake line following the game, legendary Stanford head coach Tara VanDerveer told Gottlieb that Watkins was really good.

Gottlieb simply replied.

"She sure was."

The Trojans return to the hardwood at noon on Sunday against Cal in Berkeley.