WOMEN’S BASKETBALL — 2024-25
USC vs. Mississippi State — as it happened
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📌 PINNED
Henry Mode & Stefano Fendrich from Galen Center; photos by Henry Kofman
The Trojans lead early, but JuJu Watkins has exited the game with a scary-looking right knee injury.
No. 1-seeded USC is hosting ninth-seeded Mississippi State at Galen Center in the Round of 32 of the NCAA Tournament. The Trojans are hoping to head to Spokane for their second consecutive Sweet 16 appearance.
We’re reporting live on location. Refresh to see new updates.
9:35 p.m.
From the scoreline of No. 1-seeded USC’s 96-59 victory over No. 9-seeded Mississippi State, it would appear that all went according to plan for Head Coach Lindsay Gottlieb and the Trojans on Monday night at Galen Center. However, those who watched will know that is not the case.
Just 5:17 into the first quarter, superstar sophomore guard JuJu Watkins went down with a gruesome looking injury to what appeared to be her right knee. At halftime, the team announced on X that Watkins was “being evaluated by USC Keck Medicine staff and [would] not return to competition.”
With Watkins gone, it was the Kiki Iriafen show. The graduate forward led all scorers with 36 points and shot just under 73% from the field. Alongside Iriafen’s dominance, freshman guards Avery Howell and Kayleigh Heckel combined for 31 points and 12 assists.
The Trojans spread the love as they dished out 29 assists — their most in a game this season. USC (30-3, 17-1 Big Ten) dismantled the Bulldogs (22-12, 7-9 SEC) in every facet of the game, winning by the largest margin of victory of any winner in the NCAA Tournament’s Round of 32.
With Watkins’ status still unclear, USC will head to Spokane, Washington where they will take on No. 5-seeded Kansas State in the Sweet 16 on Saturday.
8:12 p.m.
BREAKING: Watkins is done for the day, according to a USC statement. “Watkins is being evaluated by USC Keck Medicine staff and will not return to competition.” The All-American was leading USC in scoring and averaging 24.6 for the Trojans.
8:09 p.m.
An electric end to the half as senior center Rayah Marshall banks in a buzzer-beating triple. It was a joyful conclusion to what could end up being a pretty crushing half of basketball for Watkins and the Trojans. 50-27 USC at the break.
7:57 PM
Loud ovation as Samuels checks back into the game. Still no word on Watkins. 38-18 USC with 4:15 left in the half.
7:50 PM
This is getting ugly again. Sophomore guard Malia Samuels has joined Watkins in the locker room after hitting the deck hard. She was able to walk under her own power.
7:39 PM
Trojans lead 28-6 after the first quarter following a corner triple from freshman guard Avery Howell. That was a really impressive effort from USC after the Watkins injury. The Trojans stayed focused and brought impressive energy on both ends after a pretty harrowing moment. USC is on a 15-6 run since the injury.
7:35 PM
This place is rocking after an impressive effort play from freshman guard Kayleigh Heckel. She got a deflection off an inbound, dove for a loose ball and let the Bulldogs know about it. 25-6 USC with 52.4 seconds left in the first quarter.
7:31 PM
There is still a game going on here, despite the injury to Watkins. USC leads 17-2 with 3:02 remaining in the opening frame. Smith leads all scorers with 7 points on perfect 3-3 shooting.
7:24 PM
The crowd has fallen silent at Galen Center as sophomore guard JuJu Watkins has hit the deck and is grabbing at her right knee. She was surrounded by USC staff and Head Coach Lindsay Gottlieb came over to console her.
She was subsequently carried off the court, unable to walk under her own power.
7:21 PM
The Bulldogs are finally on the board here after a rapid start for the Trojans, who have gotten a huge energy boost from Smith. 13-2 USC with 5:10 to go in the first quarter.
7:13 PM
Two turnovers and three missed shots for Mississippi State earlyhaves USC in the driver’s seat. Trojan’s lead at 9-0 thanktoom threes from graduate guard Talia von Oelhoffen and freshman guard Kennedy Smith.
7:03 PM
The game is just minutes away from starting, and USC is eager to make it to the second weekend for the second year in a row. Here’s the Trojans’ starting lineup.
G Talia Von Oelhoffen
G JuJu Watkins
G Kennedy Smith
F Kiki Iriafen
C Rayah Marshall
5:45 PM
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