LOS ANGELES — JuJu Watkins delivered an outstanding performance with 35 points, catalyzing an impressive 18-0 surge that included 10 points before halftime, as the No. 4 Southern California team triumphed over Penn State 95-73 on Sunday evening. This marked one of the first athletic events in Los Angeles since the outbreak of devastating wildfires in the region.
Watkins showcased her skills by shooting an impressive 13 for 15 and maintaining perfection in the first half with 8 for 8 shooting. She also converted 7 of 9 free throws, while contributing significantly with 11 rebounds, five steals, and three blocks. The standout sophomore ignited the crucial second-quarter run with a three-pointer and capped it off with a spectacular three-point play that involved her stealing the ball, scoring, and being fouled, resulting in her landing on her backside.
The Trojans, holding a record of 16-1 overall and 6-0 in the Big Ten, received substantial support from Kiki Iriafen, who scored 28 points. On the other hand, Talayah Walker led the Nittany Lions with 18 points. The Lions, now with an overall record of 9-8 and still winless in the Big Ten at 0-6, are struggling, as their last victory came on December 11 against Providence. They have unfortunately dropped six consecutive games and seven out of nine overall.
Observations from the game reveal that Penn State managed to outscore USC 21-20 in the third quarter, though they still found themselves trailing by a significant margin of 24 points. Meanwhile, both Watkins and Iriafen have maintained a streak of scoring in double digits in every game this season, spanning 17 matches.
A pivotal moment occurred in the third quarter when USC freshman Kayleigh Heckel made a notable impact by scoring five consecutive points. During this span, both Watkins and Iriafen contributed all of the team’s other points. Despite being the shortest player on the court at 5-foot-9, Heckel secured a defensive rebound and navigated down the floor to score, then further increased the lead with a three-pointer, pushing it to 26 points.
A critical statistic emerged from the game, with Penn State committing a staggering 21 turnovers that allowed USC to capitalize on them for a total of 27 points.
Looking ahead, Penn State is set to face No. 1 UCLA on Wednesday in Long Beach, a change of venue due to ongoing wildfire concerns near the Bruins’ campus. On the other hand, USC will head to Indiana on Sunday, kicking off a two-game trip throughout the Midwest.
