USC defeated Kansas State 67-61 on Saturday, advancing to a second consecutive Elite Eight matchup against UConn. The Trojans relied heavily on their top-ranked freshman class after superstar JuJu Watkins suffered a season-ending ACL injury.
Coach Lindsay Gottlieb credited the freshmen for their remarkable performance, saying they “played remarkably” and demonstrated incredible chemistry with each other. Freshman Kennedy Smith led the team in scoring with 19 points, while Avery Howell tied her career high with 18 points, including seven in the fourth quarter.
Heckel, who started at point guard in place of Talia von Oelhoffen, also contributed eight points to the team’s total. The freshmen class accounted for more than two-thirds of USC’s points, showcasing their growth and talent.
Despite losing Watkins, who was unable to travel due to her injury but stayed connected with the team through FaceTime, Gottlieb remained focused on achieving their goals. Smith echoed this sentiment, saying they “still have the common goal” of winning a national championship.
The Trojans now face UConn in the Elite Eight on Monday, seeking to overcome adversity and continue their journey towards the national title.
Source: https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/44462625/minus-injured-juju-watkins-usc-wins-seals-elite-eight-bid