USC’s journey to the Sweet 16 was nearly derailed by a season-ending knee injury suffered by star player JuJu Watkins, but the Trojans persevered to secure a 96-59 victory over Mississippi State. The loss of Watkins will leave USC without its leading scorer and playmaker for the remainder of the tournament.
Kiki Iriafen led the way with a dominant performance, scoring 36 points on 16-of-22 shooting. Her 9 rebounds and 2 blocks helped USC dominate the game from start to finish. “We just wanted to keep dancing,” Iriafen said post-game, explaining that her team’s toughness was key to their success.
With the injury, Watkins will undergo surgery and begin rehabbing the injury. Coach Lindsay Gottlieb expressed support for her star player, stating “we have a group and a fanbase and a team that’s going to have her back no matter what.” The Trojans will face Kansas State in the Sweet 16, where they look to continue their winning streak.
USC’s victory was not without incident, as Malia Samuels suffered an injury scare in the second quarter. However, she appeared fine after receiving assistance and returned to the game.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaw/2025/03/24/southern-cal-vs-mississippi-state-score-highlights-womens-basketball-march-madness/82631831007