This post was updated Jan. 3 at 8:45 p.m.

USC guard Londynn Jones had only started in two games this season – until Saturday night.

Jones traded crosstown rivals following UCLA’s historic 2024-2025 March Madness run, when she left the Bruins to join the Trojans. Her start, along with any show of her subsequent plays on the jumbotron, was greeted by boos from UCLA fans. 

Battling a familiar face seemingly did not faze No. 4 UCLA (13-1, 3-0 Big Ten) as it defeated No. 17 USC (10-3, 2-0 Big Ten) 80-46 on Saturday in Pauley Pavilion. The match broke the teams’ series tie at 54-54, with UCLA gaining a leg up in the rivals’ first meeting of the season. 

“I just learned today that it was at 54-54 of all-time matchups,” said coach Cori Close. “The one thing we share is that we want to grow the game in LA together. … Because you’re in a fierce rivalry, sometimes that can get lost.”

Neither UCLA nor USC had lost a conference game prior to Saturday’s matchup. USC’s three non-conference losses were to then-No.2 South Carolina, then-No. 24 Notre Dame and then-No. 1 UConn. UCLA’s only loss was to then-No. 4 Texas, having fended off three ranked rivals prior to Big Ten play. 

And the competitiveness showed. The first quarter was a back-and-forth battle, with neither team gaining more than a three-point advantage over its opponent. 

But halfway through the second quarter, the Bruins gained a lead that they would never relinquish, breaking the deadlock of the first 10 minutes.

UCLA broke away with a 4-point lead early in the second quarter with two consecutive layups by graduate student Angela Dugalić. The 6-foot-4 forward totaled six points and five rebounds, going 3-for-5 from the field.

“She’s been spectacular,” Close said. “The way that she’s able to move and guard people that are smaller than her and keep them in front. … I just couldn’t be more proud.”

A pair of free throws by senior center Lauren Betts allowed the Bruins to increase their separation as the Trojans entered a double-digit deficit. Graduate student guard duo Charlisse Leger-Walker and Gianna Kneepkens added to the growing lead, with a 3-pointer and a stepback, respectively. 

“I think the guards just did a really good job of creating for me,” Betts said. “They make my job really easy.”

Meanwhile, USC was kept at bay for almost five minutes, finally breaking its no-score trance in the final 15 seconds of the half.

By the time the teams entered the locker room, UCLA led 43-28. And that lead did not waver through to the final buzzer.

Halfway through the third quarter, the Bruins led by 23 points, guided by Lauren Betts and Kneepkens, who tallied 15 and 18 points, respectively, by the end of the contest. Kneepkens, a Utah transfer and Cheryl Miller Award Top 10 Candidate, neared her season high of 20, which she scored against then-No. 6 Oklahoma. 

Betts shot 50% from the field, hitting a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds. The center stood tallest on the court, followed by 6-foot-5 USC forward Yakiya Milton, who went scoreless in her 10 minutes of playing time. 

Meanwhile, the Trojans fell behind, scoring 12 third-quarter points compared to the Bruins’ 22. 

“Last year obviously was a tough finish here,” said senior guard Kiki Rice. “This is a new year, a new opportunity to really go out there, play hard and just be the tougher team.”

Jones shot 1-for-7 from the field, racking up six points through a 3-point shot and three made free throws after being substituted out early on in the final frame with three personal fouls. She re-entered the game in the final minutes but did not score.

USC guard Jazzy Davidson led the Trojans in scoring, racking up 10 points of the team’s 46 total. The freshman was the No. 1 recruit of the 2025 class per ESPN, followed by UCLA freshman forward Sienna Betts.  

The Bruins held the Trojans to 27% scoring from the field to their 52.6% clip and shot 84.2% from the free throw line. 

With under five minutes remaining in the game, the Bruins extended their lead to 30 points. 

And by the final buzzer, UCLA led its crosstown rivals by 34 points. Jones – even if booed by the fans – was met by hugs from the UCLA squad as the teams shook hands. 

“Londynn will always be a part of our journey here,” Close said. “The building process includes her, even though she’s wearing a different jersey right now. She made a tough decision that her and her family felt was right.”

The Trojans and Bruins will meet again for both teams’ regular-season finale in March.