Despite JuJu Watkins' career-worst start, USC trounced Minnesota thanks to Kiki Iriafen's dominant performance. Iriafen led the Trojans with 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Watkins battled back to score 20 points in the second half.
USC forward Kiki Iriafen drives to the basket as Minnesota’s Annika Stewart defends during the fourth quarter on Thursday night at the Galen Center. LOS ANGELES — There was no concealing her frustration, by the waning minute of the first half. It burned, visibly, off JuJu Watkins, as she smacked her hands while walking back on defense. It burned, as she held her hands up in a sort of plea to the heavens, walking back up on offense. It burned, as she muttered to herself.
Fourth-ranked USC still beat Minnesota by 13 points, 82-69 behind a strong night from Kiki Iriafen. That’s been a process, simple as it might seem. On the surface, this USC powerhouse has had no problems for two months other than a few long road trips and some cold weather. The Trojans are unbeaten since a Nov. 23 loss to Notre Dame, steamrolling solid conference opponents. They beat Purdue last Wednesday, in Indiana, by 42 points. But each week has been a process, for Gottlieb and company, of how to fine-tune the finer points of an offense that bristles with weapons.
“We talk a lot about roles, and whose role is what – so, trying to play into your role, but also be you, and be confident in what you do,” Von Oelhoffen said Tuesday. “I think a lot of people are starting to come into their own in that way.” And Watkins, nothing if not relentless, attacked second-half double- and triple-teams en route to 20 second-half points, as USC put another quality Big Ten opponent away.
USC Trojans Women's Basketball Big Ten Kiki Iriafen Juju Watkins Minnesota Golden Gophers
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