SEATTLE — Kiki Iriafen contributed 19 points to aid No. 6 USC in their comeback victory over Washington, winning 69-64 on Sunday.
JuJu Watkins made a notable impact with 17 points, alongside seven rebounds and six assists for the Trojans (23-2, 13-1 Big Ten), who had just celebrated a significant win against the top-ranked UCLA. Despite facing a 12-point deficit against the Huskies, Kennedy Smith also played a key role, adding 14 points and sinking 4 of 8 attempts from three-point range.
USC struggled in the first three quarters, shooting only 29% from the field, but turned the momentum around in the fourth quarter, hitting 11 of 16 shots.
Leading all scorers, Washington’s Sayvia Sellers netted 24 points, while Hannah Stines, who closely guarded Watkins throughout the game, recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
From the very beginning, the Huskies (14-12, 5-9) adopted a slow and deliberate pace, managing to consume as much time off the shot clock as possible. This tactic led to a tightly contested first half, ending in a 23-23 tie, with only four field goals made in the second quarter.
USC did not breach the 30-point mark until nearly eight minutes into the third quarter. The Trojans later exploded offensively, scoring a remarkable 38 points in the final 12 minutes of play.
Highlights from the Game:
USC: The Trojans have now marked their fourth consecutive victory and sit firmly at the top of the Big Ten standings as they approach the final three games of the regular season.
Washington: The Huskies faced their fourth loss against ranked opponents this season, with all defeats coming by a margin of 10 points or less.
Critical Moment:
With just 4:19 remaining in the game, Talia von Oelhoffen assisted Iriafen for a crucial transition basket that, along with a foul, tipped the score in favor of USC at 55-53.
Stat of Note:
USC’s three-point shooting was a tale of two halves; they managed only 4 of 16 from beyond the arc in the first three quarters but turned it around to hit 4 of 7 in the fourth quarter.
Looking Ahead:
USC will take on Michigan State this Wednesday, while Washington will prepare to host Rutgers on Thursday.
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