Sports · Basketball · 2 hrs ago
Watkins and Strong Lead College Basketball’s Top Performances
Sunday’s college basketball games featured standout performances from players on three teams.
JuJu Watkins returned for USC after missing the previous season and tournament with a torn ACL and scored 32 points against Utah State.
She also had 16 rebounds, six assists and five steals as USC won 118-40.
Sarah Strong scored a career-high 39 points for UConn in a 91-79 win over Iowa.
The victory helped No.
2 UConn respond to a loss to Michigan, while Strong also recorded 10 rebounds.
Jaden Alexander scored 41 points for Cal State Bakersfield in a 91-80 win over North Dakota State, making nine three-pointers for a program record in the Division I era.
These performances put Watkins, Strong and Alexander among the day’s leading scorers, but no next steps are specified.
JuJu Watkins returned from an ACL injury with 32 points, 16 rebounds and six assists as USC beat Utah State 118-40.
Sarah Strong scored a career-high 39 points to lead UConn to a 91-79 win over Iowa.
Jaden Alexander scored 41 points as Cal State Bakersfield defeated North Dakota State 91-80.
Watkins also recorded five steals and a block in 27 minutes at the Galen Center.
Strong added 10 rebounds, three assists and two blocks in UConn’s first game at Storrs this season.
- Who
- JuJu Watkins, Sarah Strong and Jaden Alexander led the performances highlighted in the report.
- What
- Watkins helped USC beat Utah State 118-40; Strong led UConn past Iowa 91-79; Alexander led Cal State Bakersfield to a 91-80 win over North Dakota State.
- When
- Sunday; the article was published on November 9, 2026.
- Where
- Watkins played at the Galen Center, and UConn hosted Iowa at Storrs. The location of the Cal State Bakersfield game is not stated.
- Why
- Watkins returned after missing time with an ACL injury. UConn was seeking to respond to its loss to Michigan; Alexander’s reason for his performance is not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Watkins missed USC’s March Madness elimination and the following regular season and tournament after tearing her ACL.
Alexander scored a then-career-high 35 points against UC Davis.
Watkins, Strong and Alexander delivered the performances highlighted in the article.
- JuJu Watkins
- 32 points, 16 rebounds and six assists
- USC vs Utah State
- 118-40
- Sarah Strong
- Career-high 39 points
- UConn vs Iowa
- 91-79
- Jaden Alexander
- 41 points, including a Division I-era program-record nine three-pointers
- Cal State Bakersfield vs North Dakota State
- 91-80