The Cal women did not win their exhibition game against third-ranked USC but they will probably return to Berkeley with more confidence after losing to the Trojans 78-76 on Sunday night in Los Angeles.

The game marked the return of USC All-American JuJu Watkins, who missed all of last season with a knee injury. She scored 18 points on Sunday.

The game’s high scorer was Cal guard Lulu Twidale, who had 25 points to go along with a game-high nine rebound.

She was just 3-for-12 on three-point shots, which usually are her biggest asset.

Twidale got the Bears within two points with a jumper with 11 seconds remaining, making it a 75-73 game. Then she had a chance to tie the game with a three-point attempt with five seconds left and Cal trailing by three points.…