SPOKANE, Ore. — In a gritty performance, freshman Kennedy Smith rose to the occasion by scoring 19 points as Southern California edged past Kansas State with a 67-61 victory in the Sweet 16 of the women’s NCAA Tournament on Saturday. This was a big step for the Trojans, who are navigating the tournament without their injured star, JuJu Watkins.
As the top-seeded team with a record of 31-3, the Trojans were seen as potential title winners before Watkins suffered a devastating ACL tear in her right knee during a victory over Mississippi State in the second round. With their key player sidelined, USC now faces a tough Elite Eight matchup against second-seeded UConn and their standout, Paige Bueckers, on Monday. This game will be a rematch of last year’s March Madness where UConn dashed USC’s hopes in Watkins’ debut season.
Another freshman, Avery Howell, also made significant contributions with 18 points. A standout period for USC was the third quarter, where they orchestrated a 12-0 run, capturing a substantial 46-39 lead.
Kansas State, who entered the game with a 28-8 record, fought fiercely, leveling the game at 51-all early in the fourth quarter thanks to a layup from Ayoka Lee. However, USC’s Rayah Marshall answered back with two quick buckets to regain the advantage.
A layup by Serena Sundell brought Kansas State close, narrowing the score to 60-59. Smith replied confidently with two successful free throws, ensuring the Trojans kept their momentum and clinched the victory through steady foul line performances.
“We still have the common goal of winning national championships, and JuJu’s injury presented a challenge,” Smith remarked post-game. “We spoke to her before the game; she motivated us. Our play was both for her and each other.”
USC’s coach Lindsay Gottlieb expressed pride in her team’s adaptability during testing times. “We approached this game with the firm intent to win. Acknowledging Kansas State’s prowess, our team displayed resilience and unity against adversity.”
Serena Sundell put up a commendable fight for the fifth-seeded Kansas State with 22 points, followed by 12 from Ayoka Lee. Despite their efforts, they narrowly missed securing another Elite Eight appearance, a feat the program last achieved in 1982. They reached the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2002 by overcoming Kentucky 80-79 in an overtime thriller.
In the early stages, USC pulled ahead to a 19-9 lead, largely due to Smith’s 11 points. Kansas State took a slight lead at 19-16, but USC retaliated with back-to-back 3-pointers from Howell and Malia Samuels. With strategic plays, Sundell enabled Kansas State to edge to a 30-28 halftime advantage.
Howell proved critical in offsetting Watkins’ absence, particularly on defense. Reflecting on her role, Howell stated, “Balancing JuJu’s contributions is essential. We hold her in our thoughts, channeling her competitive spirit whenever we play.” She added, “We know she’s cheering us on and contributing positively from home.”
Paying tribute to Watkins, USC arrived at the Spokane Arena wearing Nike T-shirts featuring Watkins’ visage. During the game, the team kept a small doll mimicking Watkins’ distinct “JuJu Bun” hairstyle close by. Following the victory, the team celebrated with Watkins through a video call.
“My daughter sent kisses to JuJu, asking if she was hurt. I explained she was injured but elated by today’s result,” shared coach Gottlieb. “JuJu is an incredible young talent, and the team’s reaction is a testament to their camaraderie and her inspirational influence.”
Although Watkins aimed to lead USC to its first national championship since their consecutive wins in 1983 and ’84, her spirit continues to fuel their journey, with the possibility of a title still within reach.