COLLEGE PARK, Md. — In a thrilling matchup on Wednesday night, the No. 4 Southern California Trojans defeated the No. 8 Maryland Terrapins, handing them their first loss of the season with a close score of 79-74.
JuJu Watkins contributed significantly to USC’s victory, scoring 21 points before fouling out in the game’s final minute. Despite Maryland’s Shyanne Sellers leading her team with 26 points, the Terrapins (14-1, 4-1 Big Ten) struggled to maintain their earlier momentum after leading by seven points in the fourth quarter.
With just 1:28 remaining, Kiki Iriafen’s three-point play propelled USC into a 75-72 lead. Shortly thereafter, Rayah Marshall made an important defensive play by blocking a jumper from Sellers. Although Watkins fouled out due to an offensive foul with only 31 seconds on the clock, Maryland’s Saylor Poffenbarger was unable to capitalize, missing a critical three-point shot. Avery Howell then extended the Trojans’ lead to five points by sinking a pair of free throws.
This game marked a notable encounter, as it was the first between the two teams since 1995, following USC’s recent integration into the Big Ten Conference. Iriafen finished the night with 21 points as well, while Maryland’s Christina Dalce recorded a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Kaylene Smikle added 16 for the Terrapins but struggled with her shooting, finishing at 6 for 21 from the field.
For USC, despite not having the best performance shooting-wise, Watkins still displayed resilience and the team managed to show strong defensive capabilities along with valuable contributions from Iriafen and others. Conversely, the Terrapins faced difficulties on offense, notably from beyond the arc, where they shot just 14.3% (2 of 14), and failed to score effectively in crucial moments.
A turning point in the game came when Maryland was ahead 68-61. Kennedy Smith ignited the Trojans’ comeback by scoring seven consecutive points, including a three-pointer that leveled the score.
Looking ahead, Maryland will face Wisconsin on Saturday, while USC is set to host Penn State on Sunday.
