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Another JuJu Watkins record can't save No. 7 USC from loss to No. 18 Utah

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Another JuJu Watkins record can't save No. 7 USC from loss to No. 18 Utah

JuJu Watkins continues to move up the scoring ranks at USC, but her historic game Sunday came with USC dropping in the Pac-12 standings.

Watkins set the single-season freshman scoring record with 30 points to bring her season total to 705, passing Paula McGee, but shot just 10 for 30 from the field in a 74-68 loss to No. 18 Utah at Galen Center.

With their freshman phenom struggling, seniors who were honored before their final regular-season home game stepped up with gritty performances.

Kaitlyn Davis, a transfer from Columbia, had 13 points and eight rebounds, including five offensive boards. She scored 10 points in the third quarter that helped USC (21-5, 11-5 Pac-12) come back from a nine-point deficit. Off the bench, senior guard Kayla Williams played suffocating defense at the top of USC’s press. Harvard transfer McKenzie Forbes had 10 points and four assists.

But it was Utah’s senior transfer who sealed the win.

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Reigning Pac-12 player of the year Alissa Pili scored 23 points with 11 rebounds to lead Utah to its second win over the Trojans this year. With the crowd rocking after Watkins pulled the Trojans within four points with 1:09 remaining, Pili drove around USC forward Rayah Marshall and laid in a basket that quieted the packed crowd.

After starting her career with the Trojans, winning Pac-12 freshman of the year in 2020, Sunday would have been Pili’s senior day at USC.

The loss ended USC’s seven-game winning streak and, along with Oregon State’s loss to Washington on Sunday, dropped the Trojans into a four-team race for second in the Pac-12. After first-place Stanford, USC and Oregon State each have five conference losses with No. 12 UCLA and No. 11 Colorado, who are both 10-5 in conference play, set to play Monday at Pauley Pavilion.

Watkins didn’t hit her first jump shot until the 6:40 mark of the fourth quarter, a mid-range fadeaway that pulled the Trojans within three points. She opened the second quarter by airballing a midrange jumper. But the freshman adjusted quickly.

On the next two trips down the court, Watkins aggressively drove into the lane for back-to-back three-point plays. She locked in on defense with a block and a defensive rebound, pushing the pace and kicking a pass out to Forbes on the wing for a three that pulled the Trojans within two with 8:27 to go in the first half.

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Forbes’ shot was USC’s only made three-pointer during the first half. After sinking 13 of 19 three-pointers in a shootout against Colorado on Friday, the Trojans made just one of their first nine shots from distance Sunday and four of 20 total.

Utah capitalized with 11 made threes off 27 attempts.

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Becky Lynch enters exclusive WWE club with Women’s Intercontinental Championship win at WrestleMania 42

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Becky Lynch enters exclusive WWE club with Women’s Intercontinental Championship win at WrestleMania 42

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Becky Lynch entered an atmosphere no other WWE women’s superstar has ever reached as she won the Women’s Intercontinental Championship over AJ Lee on Saturday night at WrestleMania 42.

Lynch became the first person to hold the Women’s Intercontinental Championship three times after she pinned Lee. She first won the title against Lyra Valkyria in June 2025 and then again against Maxxine Dupri in November.

Becky Lynch celebrates with the belt after defeating AJ Lee during their women’s Intercontinental Championship match at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 18, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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She dropped the belt to Lee at the Elimination Chamber, sparking a monthslong feud with her.

Lee gave Lynch the chance at the title in the weeks prior to WrestleMania 42. But it appeared Lee played right into Lynch’s plans. Despite arguing with referee Jessica Carr for most of the match, Lynch was able to tactfully tear down a rope buckle and use it to her advantage.

Lynch hit Lee with a Manhandle Slam and pinned her for the win.

WWE STARS REVEAL WHAT MAKES WRESTLEMANIA SO SPECIAL: ‘IT’S THE SUPER BOWL OF PRO WRESTLING’

AJ Lee reacts after losing to Becky Lynch in their Women’s Intercontinental Championship match at WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on April 18, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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It’s the second straight year Lynch will leave Las Vegas as champion. She returned to WWE at WrestleMania 41, teaming with Valkyria, to win the women’s tag titles. She will now leave Allegiant Stadium as the women’s intercontinental champion.

Lynch is now a seven-time women’s champion, three-time women’s intercontinental champion and two-time tag team champion.

Becky Lynch withstands AJ Lee during their Women’s Intercontinental Championship match on night one of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 18, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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Lee’s reign as champion ended really before it could really begin. WrestleMania 42 was her first appearance at the event in 11 years. It’s unclear where Lee will go from here.

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Letters to Sports: Clippers were oh so close, yet so far

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Letters to Sports: Clippers were oh so close, yet so far

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The Clippers’ season has come to an end but better than anyone expected. No consolation but a great job by head coach Tyronn Lue for guiding the Clippers from a disastrous 6-21 start and finishing with more than 40 wins.

Coach Lue led the team, overcoming major obstacles throughout the season with a player investigation, injuries, internal strife and major roster changes at the trade deadline. As usual for Clipper fans, wait till next year.

Wayne Muramatsu
Cerritos

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The Clippers are the NBA’s version of Stealers Wheel’s “Stuck in the Middle With You.” Yes, they have had 15 straight seasons of playing .500 or better, and owner Steve Ballmer has brought them respectability, but for their entire 56-year existence — which has contained many clowns and jokers — they still have never [attained] their goal of winning (or even reaching) the NBA Finals.

Ken Feldman
Tarzana

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‘The Naked Gun’ actor Paul Walter Hauser bloodies opponent at Maple Leaf Pro’s first US show

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‘The Naked Gun’ actor Paul Walter Hauser bloodies opponent at Maple Leaf Pro’s first US show

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Paul Walter Hauser is an actor who has been in “The Naked Gun,” “Blackbird,” and “Richard Jewell.” But on Friday night at Maple Leaf Pro’s first U.S. event, MLP Multiverse, there was no acting going on.

Hauser squared off against QT Marshall in a sin city street fight at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. It was the final show of Slam Fest. The two pro wrestlers pulled out all the stops and left the ring in complete disarray.

Paul Walter Hauser competed against QT Marshall at Maple Leaf Pro Multiverse on April 18, 2026 in Las Vegas. (Fox News Digital)

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It was a rematch of their brawl at Ring of Honor’s Death Before Dishonor event. Marshall went on the attack first, throwing in all kinds of foreign objects into the ring, including a piece of wood wrapped with barbed wire, a table, a cane, chairs and even a door was brought into the match.

Hauser was able to regain momentum in the match. He set up the barbed-wire object in the corner. Marshall countered and was trying to whip Hauser into the barbed wire. However, Hauser stopped himself. As Marshall tried to take Hauser by surprise, the movie star avoided Marshall and tossed him into the barbed wire.

Marshall was busted open, but wasn’t done. Hauser was trying to inflict more pain. He set up a table near one corner of the ring and poured thumbtacks on top of it. Marshall was able to powerbomb Hauser through the tacked table.

Paul Walter Hauser is pictured on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (Nathan Congleton/NBC)

BLUE PANTHER AND ÚLTIMO GUERRERO STEAL THE SHOW AT CMLL’S FIRST-EVER US EVENT IN LAS VEGAS

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Hauser was left with thumbtacks in his back and one in his head. He managed to power through and put Marshall into a sharpshooter. Marshall tapped out. Hauser picked up the victory.

Hauser got his start in pro wrestling in 2023 at Pro Wrestling Revolver. He worked his way through appearances at All Elite Wrestling before he signed with Major League Wrestling in 2024.

He’s currently Progress Wrestling’s Progress proteus champion.

Elsewhere, Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) world heavyweight champion Hechicero defended his championship against Jonathan Gresham, Maple Leaf Pro Canadian women’s champion Gisele Shaw fended off Shotzi Blackheart, Persephone and surprise entrant Killer Kelly to keep the title.

Mistico, Mascara Dorada and Amazing Red defeated The Rascalz at Maple Leaf Pro Multiverse on April 18, 2026 in Las Vegas. (Fox News Digital)

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The show started with Subculture, the tag team duo of Mark Andrews and Flash Morgan Webster, defeated Vaughn Vertigo and Guy Cool. The Demand’s Ricochet, Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona defeated Sidney Akeem, Michael Oku and Rich Swaan, Steve Borden defeated Kiran Gray and Mistico, Mascara Dorada, Amazing Red defeated The Rascalz – Desmond Xavier, Zachary Wentz and Myron Reed.

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