With this win, the Trojans improved their record to 17-1 overall and 7-0 in the Big Ten, marking their 13th consecutive victory. Watkins played a key part in the comeback, showcasing her skills with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter, which shifted momentum in favor of Southern California for a 51-50 advantage. In the fourth quarter, she added seven points to help the Trojans to a 12-0 run.
The Hoosiers struggled despite strong performances, with Sydney Parrish leading the team with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Chloe Moore-McNeil and Yarden Garzon contributed 13 and 10 points, respectively. Unfortunately for Indiana, they fell to 12-6 overall and 4-3 in conference play, marking their second consecutive loss at home.
Southern Cal faced adversity early in the game, trailing 25-14 at the start of the second quarter. However, the team fought back to secure a 38-32 lead by halftime, even managing to extend that lead to nine points during the third quarter. It was, however, Watkins’ strong finish that ultimately sealed the victory for the Trojans.
Observations from the game reveal that the USC players took a while to find their rhythm, particularly given the cold weather with temperatures in the 30s and wind chills dropping into the single digits. Nonetheless, once they found their flow, they demonstrated the skill and teamwork that has kept them among the top teams in the nation.
For Indiana, the team displayed its tenacity and competitiveness, giving Southern California a tough challenge. They showed what Indiana basketball embodies through solid defense, aggressive play, and the ability to create turnovers, making it tough for Watkins to find her footing early on.
A critical moment in the game occurred when Watkins sank that much-needed 3-pointer at the end of the third, marking a turning point. She scored her final points in the 12-0 surge, extending the lead to 63-55 with just over four minutes remaining in the game.
A glaring statistic for Indiana was their struggle from beyond the arc as they converted only 8 of 29 3-point attempts. This, combined with being outscored 28-16 in the paint, highlighted the team’s challenges throughout the match.
As for upcoming games, the Trojans will continue their Midwestern journey with a matchup against Purdue on Wednesday, while Indiana gears up to face Oregon on Friday.
