In a gripping match in Los Angeles, top-seeded Southern California advanced to the Sweet 16 of the women’s NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year with an emphatic 96-59 victory over Mississippi State. The game was marked by a shocking turn of events just five minutes in, as USC’s star player, JuJu Watkins, sustained a severe-looking knee injury. Watkins, who managed three points through free throws before her mishap, was visibly in pain and had to be carried off the court.
Despite this setback, USC maintained its momentum and displayed impressive teamwork and resilience. By the end of the first quarter, the Trojans already had a 28-8 lead, which extended to 50-27 at halftime, and 75-42 after three quarters. The team’s morale was high as they celebrated their success by hitting buzzer-beaters to conclude each of the initial three quarters.
Stepping up in Watkins’ absence was Stanford graduate transfer Kiki Iriafen, who delivered a remarkable performance by scoring a season-high 36 points on 16-of-22 shooting and securing nine rebounds. She left to a standing ovation with just over six minutes remaining, as fans loudly chanted “Kiki! Kiki!” Freshman Avery Howell also contributed significantly, adding 18 points and sinking four 3-pointers.
USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb expressed pride in her team’s performance, noting their ability to rally in challenging circumstances. “You never want anyone to go down, especially someone like JuJu that we all lean on in so many ways, but this team rallied,” she said.
Mississippi State’s efforts were led by Jerkaila Jordan, who scored 17 points. The Bulldogs faced a daunting challenge against USC’s dominant presence, further exacerbated by the fervent home crowd, who passionately backed their team following Watkins’ injury.
Kiki Iriafen acknowledged the struggle of playing without a key player like Watkins but emphasized the team’s determination to continue their season. “For us, it was just making sure we got the job done,” she remarked.
The victory not only showcased USC’s depth, as five players reached double figures, but also potentially sets up a rematch with UConn, who ousted them in last year’s Elite Eight. As USC looks ahead, their focus now turns to a matchup against fifth-seeded Kansas State in the Spokane Regional semifinals this Saturday. The Trojans hope to extend their tournament run and overcome last year’s defeat.