Palm Desert, California — JuJu Watkins delivered a standout performance by scoring a season-high 34 points, despite facing foul trouble, while Kiki Iriafen contributed a personal best of 30 points for the sixth-ranked Southern California team. In their game during the Acrisure Holiday Invitational on Friday night, USC overwhelmed Saint Louis in the second half, ultimately winning decisively with a score of 104-65.
Watkins demonstrated her prowess at the free-throw line, hitting 7 of 9 attempts and securing six rebounds. Iriafen was flawless from the charity stripe, converting all 12 of her free throws while also grabbing 12 boards. Talia Von Oelhoffen added another 13 points to the Trojans’ tally, contributing to their overall performance.
During the first half, Saint Louis showed resilience by shooting 48% in the second quarter, limiting USC to a 40% shooting performance and outscoring their bench 10-5 to trail closely, 42-37, at halftime. Their ability to regroup after initially falling behind by nine points in the opening quarter demonstrated a commendable effort against a powerhouse team.
However, the second half belonged to USC. They exploded in the third quarter, outscoring the Billikens 37-8, featuring an impressive 18-point run that included seven points from Watkins. This surge ultimately turned the tide decisively in favor of the Trojans, showcasing their depth and talent.
Mia Bergstrom led Saint Louis with 19 points, but the Billikens struggled with turnovers, committing 24 throughout the matchup, which resulted in 45 points for the Trojans. Notably, Gray recorded six turnovers for her team, which contributed to their challenges on both ends of the court.
Takeaways: The exhibition of tenacity from the Billikens in the first half highlighted their potential to compete. After initially losing ground, they successfully navigated USC’s press and executed a strong second quarter. In contrast, once more settled, the Trojans showcased the formidable partnership of Watkins and Iriafen, especially after a convincing win against Seton Hall just days prior, ending that game with an 84-51 score.
Key Moments: The Trojans made strategic adjustments by tightening their defense during the second half, leading to a remarkable turnaround that resulted in 19 points off turnovers in the third quarter alone. This pivotal shift underlined their defensive capabilities and the ability to capitalize on opponents’ mistakes.
Looking Ahead: The upcoming schedule sees Saint Louis ready to host Murray State on Tuesday, while USC gears up to take on Cal Baptist on the same day, as both teams prepare to build on their current performances.