UCLA guard Charisma Osborne, right, celebrates with guard Camryn Brown (35) during a timeout in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Southern California in Los Angeles, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
UCLA guard Natalie Chou (23) catches a rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Southern California in Los Angeles, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
UCLA guard Charisma Osborne (20) defends against Southern California guard Desiree Caldwell (24) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Los Angeles, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Southern California players celebrate after a 3-pointer during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against UCLA in Los Angeles, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Southern California guard Rayah Marshall (13) shoots against UCLA guard Natalie Chou (23) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Los Angeles, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Southern California guard Tera Reed (3) drives against UCLA guard Dominique Onu (2) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Los Angeles, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Southern California forward Jordyn Jenkins (32) shoots during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against UCLA in Los Angeles, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Southern California forward Alissa Pili (35) shoots against UCLA forward Izzy Anstey (43) and forward IImar’I Thomas, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Los Angeles, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Southern California center Clarice Akunwafo (34) blocks a shot by UCLA forward Izzy Anstey (43) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Los Angeles, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
UCLA players celebrate after a 68-58 win over Southern California in an NCAA college basketball game in Los Angeles, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
UCLA guard Charisma Osborne (20) is helped off the court after an injury during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Southern California in Los Angeles, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
UCLA forward IImar’I Thomas (24) shoots against Southern California guard Rayah Marshall (13) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Los Angeles, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
UCLA forward Izzy Anstey, center, is fouled by Southern California forward Alissa Pili, second from right, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Los Angeles, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
UCLA guard Charisma Osborne (20) celebrates after a 68-58 win over Southern California in an NCAA college basketball game in Los Angeles, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
UCLA guard Natalie Chou (23) shoots during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Southern California in Los Angeles, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
UCLA guard Kayla Owens (1) shoots during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against the Southern California in Los Angeles, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
UCLA guard Kayla Owens (1) and Southern California forward Jordyn Jenkins, center, struggle to gain control of the ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Los Angeles, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Prior to every practice, the UCLA women’s basketball team has between 10 and 15 minutes of mental training. There’s visualization exercises, “buddy groups” that keep players in touch and reset routines to lean on when adversity is encountered.
In a game against USC that tested the will and abilities of both teams, the Bruins’ mentality helped them dig deep and fight off a tenacious Trojan team for a 68-58 win at Galen Center on Sunday.
“They’ve worked on their toughness, they’ve worked on their togetherness,” Bruins coach Cori Close said. “And they’ve stayed the course even when they didn’t see the rewards. If you don’t give up, in due time you will see the fruit of your labor.”
Charisma Osborne, who was recently asked to visualize herself as if she were the best point guard in the world as part of her mental training, was shifty at point guard once again on Sunday night.
USC (9-7, 2-5 in Pac-12) guarded Osborne aggressively, but the junior still managed to reach double-digits in scoring by halftime. She ended the game with 27 points, surpassing her previous season high of 26, and six rebounds.
She was forced to exit the game momentarily due to an apparent injury with five minutes on the clock, but was playing again shortly after. Good news for a UCLA bench that is already short-handed due to injury.
“Whenever I fall down, I’m always gonna get back up,” Osborne said. “I think my team needed me in that moment.”
Her team built around her play and matched her confidence. The Bruins (9-4, 4-1 in Pac-12) shot 71.4% from beyond the arc in the first quarter for an early advantage with Osborne, Natalie Chou and Domonique Onu each making at least one 3-pointer.
Chou finished the game with 10 points and four rebounds. IImar’I Thomas, who ranks third in the Pac-12 in points per game, was once again a consistent contributor with 14 points and shot 50%.
The Trojans made two timely three’s of their own to cut the deficit to 28-25, but Osborne made six free throws to help UCLA pull ahead to 38-29 at halftime.
Just days after losing by nearly 20 points to the Bruins, USC picked up the pace in the second half, with Clarice Akunwafo’s layup bringing the Trojans within three points of a lead. Jordyn Jenkins, Alissa Pili and Tera Reed each poured on 13 points in the game as USC remained tough.
“We didn’t play our best on Thursday and you know, we made the changes we needed to and I’m proud of everyone in the way we came out of it and fought until the end,” Reed said.
Related Articles
USC bolsters defense with Alabama LB transfer Shane Lee, Auburn’s Romello Height
Arizona State at No. 16 USC: Trojans return home to fans
Cal State Fullerton holds off UCSD for 7th straight win
Johnny Juzang helps No. 9 UCLA fend off Colorado
Drew Peterson helps No. 16 USC beat Utah
Osborne and IImar’I Thomas combined for a seven-point run in the third quarter to thwart USC’s efforts. The roar of the Trojan faithful in Galen Center was a stark contrast to the silence of Pauley Pavilion, which was much emptier on Thursday due to COVID-19 protocol, but the Bruins’ minds were focused.
“It was good to have fans back in the building, just in general,” Osborne said, “but it’s always super fun when it’s your rivals and then you can shut them up at the end.”
No. 10 Arizona is up next for UCLA, with a 5 p.m. tipoff on Wednesday at Pauley Pavilion. USC travels to Oregon State on Friday for a 7 p.m. game.
