In Los Angeles, JuJu Watkins led Southern California to a commanding 71-25 victory against UNC Greensboro on Saturday, marking the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Watkins, who secured 22 points, played a pivotal role as the Trojans maintained their lead throughout the game. With this victory, the Trojans, boasting a 29-3 record, advanced to face the winner of the match between eighth-seeded California and ninth-seeded Mississippi State in the second round at the Galen Center on Monday.
Despite an early scare when Watkins appeared to injure her left hand in the second quarter and later limped after coming up short on her left leg in the third, she managed to contribute a 3-pointer before briefly resting towards the end of the third quarter and briefly returning in the fourth.
The game started with the Spartans aggressively challenging the number one seed, holding USC to just 12 points in the initial quarter. However, after a shaky start, the Trojans swiftly took control, turning the tide with a 16-3 run in the second quarter, restricting the Spartans to merely three successful free throws. During this period, the Trojans’ intense defensive pressure led to eight turnovers by UNCG, with the Spartans failing to score from the field and converting none of their five 3-point attempts. By halftime, USC had secured a solid 28-11 lead.
In the second quarter dominance, six different players, including Watkins who added six points, propelled a 16-0 scoring run. US’s Kiki Iriafen also shone with a notable performance, chipping in 13 points and securing 13 rebounds.
On the other hand, the Spartans, who entered March Madness for only the second time and rejoiced after a 27-year hiatus and recent success as Southern Conference regular-season and tournament champions, struggled significantly. Nya Smith topped the scoreboard for UNCG with seven points, followed by Khalis Cain with six. Jayde Gamble, anticipated to be a key contributor, fell short with just three points and committed seven turnovers.
A strategic move by the Trojans in the fourth quarter to substitute their key players allowed the starting lineup essential rest, preparing them for the next match.
UNC Greensboro set several undesirable records for their season, including their lowest scores in points, field goals, and both field goal (13%) and 3-point percentages (22%). The Spartans’ dismal shooting performance saw them complete only 7 of 54 attempts from the field.
