HARTFORD, Conn. – JuJu Watkins stepped to the free throw line with 19 seconds left in Saturday’s game.

These are the moments college basketball players dream about. The game was in limbo. A sold out XL Center was on the edge of his seat.

After blowing a double-digit lead, No. 7 USC found itself ahead of No. 4 Connecticut by just one.

Watkins took a deep breath and exhaled. She took two dribbles, turned the ball over and shot.

Swish.

Watkins also scored the second goal, which ultimately sealed the Trojans’ 72-70 victory.

Rejoice. Relief. Repayment.

Watkins threw her hands in the air. Then she looked at part of the crowd of nearly 16,000 people and waved.

“It always feels great to get a win,” Watkins said. “I think it was a little different knowing the history of last year and how they sent us home.”

Watkins was hooked from the moment she stepped onto the court to warm up. Even during the national anthem, Watkins stood still as a statue, his head bowed and his eyes closed. She didn’t even flinch when the saxophone played a piercingly high note toward the end of the song.

Watkins made it clear she was serious.

When the game began, Watkins did everything she could to help USC get revenge on UConn after the Huskies knocked the Trojans out of the NCAA Tournament in the Elite Eight less than nine months ago.

She led the Trojans’ scoring effort in the first half with 15 points on 6-for-10 shooting. She disrupted Connecticut’s passing lanes, diving for loose balls and blocking shots.

Her teammates fed off her fire.

Meanwhile, the Huskies had no answer to the hot 3-point shooting from Watkins and USC. They trailed 42-29 at halftime.

Bueckers led Connecticut to an inspiring comeback that sent the crowd delirious every time the Trojans turned the ball over or the Huskies made a basket. During Connecticut’s run, USC found itself in a similar, troubling situation as it had against Notre Dame just a few weeks earlier.

“We knew what it feels like to be in such a big game and it doesn’t go the way we wanted,” said Kiki Iriafen. “We didn’t want the same thing to happen today. So we were very aware that we were going to go full throttle at halftime.”

Even when things didn’t go their way for USC, when shots weren’t falling or improper passes led to turnovers, the Trojans stayed on the floor.

“I don’t think we were ever really unsettled,” Watkins said. “We knew what this team was capable of, they were going to make a run. So it was just a matter of overcoming it and coming out victorious.”

Saturday’s game between USC and UConn was called the “best show on the field,” with Bueckers and Watkins the stars. So it was fitting that the game ended excitingly and USC could barely keep up.

Watkins finished the game with a game-high 25 points. She also had six rebounds and five assists. Iriafen added 16 points, 11 rebounds and six assists.

Meanwhile, Bueckers scored 15 of her 22 points in the second half.

Saturday’s game showcased Watkins’ development over the last season. She was efficient at shooting. The appeal she has opened up opportunities for her teammates.

“A lot of what she does is super hard, but she makes it look so easy,” Iriafen said. “We all know she’s a superstar, so playing with her definitely takes the pressure off everyone else.”

USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb called Saturday a “significant win.” An exhausted Watkins said it was undoubtedly a memorable experience.

“Paige is an outstanding player,” Watkins said. “It’s just proof that when you give women a platform we will perform and I think tonight was an excellent game. I was a bit tired towards the end.”