WOMEN’S BASKETBALL — 2023-24
USC vs. Kansas — as it happened
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Scoring plays
Win probability
Game flow
Leaders
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📌 PINNED
Thomas Johnson & Kasey Kazliner from Galen Center; photos by Bryce Dechert
Galen Center hosts its last game of the season as No. 1-seeded USC faces No. 8-seeded Kansas in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Trojans kicked off March Madness with a 32-point victory, whereas the Jayhawks had to complete a double-digit comeback in overtime against No. 9-seeded Michigan. After a full day of rest, both teams are vying for a trip to the Sweet 16.
We’ll be reporting live from Galen Center in Los Angeles. Refresh to see new updates.
9:07 p.m.
FINAL: The Trojans defeat Kansas 73-55 to advance to their first Sweet 16 since 1994. Watkins finishes with 28 points and Forbes adds 20. The fans at Galen Center cheer with passion in what will be the last women’s basketball game at the arena this season.
9:04 p.m.
Graduate guard India Otto checks in for the Trojans as Watkins subs out with under a minute to go. Galen erupts.
9:00 p.m.
Forbes knocks down two from the free-throw line to give USC its largest lead of the night, 18 points. 3:30 to go in the fourth quarter.
8:55 p.m.
USC fights for a jump ball call and receives possession with 5:26 to go. The Trojans lead by 16.
8:52 p.m.
Forbes falls to the ground in pain after getting hit in the face. Officials will review the play and determine the foul call.
8:48 p.m.
Kansas uses a timeout after the Trojans extend their lead to 14. Watkins finds graduate forward Kaitlyn Davis in the paint for an easy layup. It’s 62-48 USC with 6:12 to go in the fourth quarter.
8:44 p.m.
The Trojans score five quick points to start the fourth quarter. They’ll hope to put the game out of reach in the final frame.
8:39 p.m.
The third quarter comes to a close with USC leading 53-46. The duo of Watkins and Forbes has combined for 37 points and nine 3-pointers. Nichols has been Kansas’ catalyst with 18 points of her own. A close, intense fourth quarter is upon the loud Galen Center crowd.
8:36 p.m.
Watkins hits a three to finally get USC out of its shooting slump and will head to the charity stripe with 40 seconds left in the third quarter. The Trojans lead 52-46.
8:34 p.m.
Watkins has three fouls and Kansas pulls within three. The Jayhawks are on a 7-0 run in the last three minutes. Kansas has 13 free throw attempts, while the Trojans have just five.
8:30 p.m.
The Jayhawks just keep battling, cutting the Trojans’ lead to just five. Nichols converts an and-one with about three and a half minutes left in the third quarter.
8:24 p.m.
Head Coach Lindsay Gottlieb initiates a full-court press, forcing Kansas to use a timeout. Up 44-37, USC will look to reach a double-digit lead once again with the defensive adjustment.
8:20 p.m.
The Jayhawks take advantage of Trojan miscues and score two consecutive fastbreak layups. USC calls a timeout after a frustrating few possessions. The Trojans still lead 43-35 with 5:50 to go in the third quarter.
8:17 p.m.
Marshall hits an and-one and opens up the half with a quick 5 points. USC leads 40-29 through almost two and a half minutes.
8:14 p.m.
The third quarter is set to begin. Kansas overcame a second-half deficit on Saturday and will hope to find a spark against USC tonight.
7:58 p.m.
At halftime, USC leads 33-24. Forbes has 12 points and Watkins is close behind with 11. Turnovers have been aplenty thus far, as both teams have combined for 19. Freshman guard S’Mya Nichols leads the Jayhawks with 11 points.
7:54 p.m.
Forbes has hit four 3-pointers and now leads all scorers with 12 points.
7:49 p.m.
The Trojans’ lead is down to 10, as the Jayhawks hit a triple to lead to a USC timeout. During the timeout, the crowd boos as it’s revealed that the UCLA Bruins won their Round of 32 matchup and will advance to the Sweet 16.
7:39 p.m.
The Jayhawks have only made three field goals thus far and have turned the ball over eight times. No Kansas player has more than 4 points and the team has had a tough start to the first half.
7:30 p.m.
End of the first quarter, USC leads 17-9. Watkins leads all players with 7 points on 60% shooting from the field. The Jayhawks haven’t scored in almost five minutes, have missed their last seven field goal attempts and are turning the ball over at an alarming rate.
7:27 p.m.
Marshall follows that up with a layup to instantly redeem herself. Now, Kansas has to break out of its own three-minute scoring drought. 14-9 Trojans.
7:25 p.m.
Some shooting woes from the Trojans. USC is on a scoring drought that is nearing four minutes, as junior center Rayah Marshall misses a breakaway chance. USC still leads 12-9.
7:22 p.m.
There are still some empty seats at Galen Center, but not many. The fans who are here though have made their presence known. Kansas misses a free throw? Jeering. Trojans knock down a basket? Absolute mayhem from the USC faithful.
7:20 p.m.
Watkins has 7 points just over five minutes into the quarter, with USC leading 12-7. The freshman has scored inside and from deep and looks destined to have an electric performance.
7:14 p.m.
Freshman guard JuJu Watkins opens up the scoring with a rim-ringing 3-pointer. Trojans up 3-0.
7:13 p.m.
To the surprise of few, the Galen Center heavily, heavily favors the Trojans. Probably a 90-10 split, if not more drastic as this game is underway.
7:10 p.m.
Kansas’ starting lineup:
G Wyvette Mayberry
G S’Mya Nichols
G Holly Kersgieter
G Zakiyah Franklin
C Taiyanna Jackson
7:03 p.m.
Tipoff is mere minutes away between the No. 1-seeded USC Trojans and the No. 8-seeded Kansas Jayhawks. A bid to the Sweet 16 in Portland is on the line against the No. 5-seeded Baylor Bears. If USC wins, it would be the team’s first trip to the third round of the NCAA Tournament since 1994.
6:55 p.m.
USC’s starting lineup:
G Kayla Padilla
G McKenzie Forbes
G JuJu Watkins
F Kaitlyn Davis
C Rayah Marshall
6:48 p.m.
Met with a roar of cheers, the Trojans just entered the court, donning gold throwback uniforms.
6:30 p.m.
30 minutes from the scheduled tipoff. Both teams just concluded warmups and the crowd is beginning to pour in.
5:05 p.m.
Please take your seat, check your wifi, and grab a snack, perhaps even a beverage. You’ll need to get ready because you’ll want to stay tuned in for this one.
Refresh for live updates when we get closer to tipoff.
