IOWA CITY, Iowa — In a thrilling matchup, Iowa managed to defeat No. 4 USC with a score of 76-69, putting an end to the Trojans’ impressive 15-game winning streak. A significant highlight of the day was the retirement of Caitlin Clark’s jersey number 22, celebrated during a postgame ceremony, adding excitement to the occasion for Hawkeye fans.
Iowa set the tone early by going on an 18-1 run to begin the game. Although the Trojans responded strongly, scoring 17 unanswered points in the second quarter, Iowa held their ground and matched USC evenly for the remaining duration. At one point in the third quarter, USC took their largest lead of the game at 47-41, later extending it to 50-45 with just over two minutes left. However, Iowa closed out the period with six straight points, including a jumper from Lucy Olsen just before the end of the quarter.
The duo of Olson and Addison O’Grady proved formidable in the second half, as they combined to score 23 of the Hawkeyes’ 25 points in the fourth quarter, which ultimately secured the victory for Iowa. In addition to their standout performances, Sydney Affolter contributed with 11 points and nine rebounds, while Hannah Stuelke added another 10 points to the team’s total.
For the Trojans, JuJu Watkins led the scoring with 27 points, but struggled with her shooting, going 8 of 22 from the field and making just 1 of 7 attempts from beyond the arc. Kiki Iriafen added 13 points, and Kennedy Smith chipped in with 11 points.
Looking back at key moments, USC found themselves within three points at 63-60 with five minutes remaining in the game, but the Hawkeyes responded immediately. O’Grady and Olsen delivered three successive field goals, allowing Iowa to regain control. Olsen later added a pivotal 3-point play, with O’Grady assisting, extending Iowa’s lead to 72-62.
A notable statistic from the game was USC’s shooting struggle; they missed 20 of their first 22 attempts, with Watkins accounting for the Trojans’ only basket in the opening quarter.
In terms of upcoming games, USC is set to take on Wisconsin this Wednesday, while Iowa will face Minnesota on Thursday.
