LOS ANGELES — JuJu Watkins delivered an impressive performance with 31 points, making 13 of 14 from the free-throw line, as No. 4 Southern California took down No. 23 Michigan with a score of 78-58 in their Big Ten home opener on Sunday night.

Watkins also contributed five rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and three blocks to her team’s success. Kiki Iriafen supported the Trojans with 18 points. The pair ignited USC’s offense, combining for the first 16 points in the fourth quarter, helping the Trojans dominate the final period with a 21-9 scoring run.

For Michigan, Jordan Hobbs was the standout scorer with 19 points, while Greta Kampschroeder and Olivia Olson added 14 and 11 points, respectively. The Wolverines struggled against ranked opponents this season, registering losses against all three top teams they’ve faced, including a narrow six-point defeat to then-No. 1 South Carolina. They will look for redemption on Wednesday against the top-ranked UCLA.

USC faced a challenge when Iriafen found herself on the bench with four fouls but made a crucial return in the fourth quarter. She quickly scored eight points, which extended the Trojans’ lead to 18 and solidified their defense down low.

A pivotal moment in the game occurred when Michigan was down by 10 points. Hobbs sparked a rally with 14 consecutive points, highlighted by four consecutive 3-pointers, narrowing the gap to just 34-31 by halftime.

In terms of statistics, the Trojans excelled at the free-throw line, hitting 20 of 23. They made an impressive 13 of 14 attempts in the third quarter alone, allowing them to reclaim a 10-point lead heading into the final frame.

Looking ahead, Michigan will embark on a tough road challenge at UCLA, while USC will stay at home to face Nebraska, both set for Wednesday.