USC Trojans Advance To Elite 8 Without JuJu Watkins To Face UConn Huskies, Paige Bueckers

The USC Trojans defeated the Kansas State Wildcats, 67-61. It was a back-and-forth matchup, but the Trojans will move on to the Elite 8. The Trojans won with effort from the team's freshmen. USC will face the UConn Huskies on March 31 for the Elite 8.

Mar 24, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans forward Kiki Iriafen (44) celebrates with Talia von Oelhoffen (55) and Kennedy Smith (11) after scoring in the third quarter against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during an NCAA Tournament second round game at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images | Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

The No. 1 USC Trojans defeated the No. 5 Kansas State Wildcats, 67-61. The Trojans trailed at the half, and it was a back-and-forth game until the end, but the Women of Troy will move on to the Elite 8.

While heading into the matchup all eyes were on forward Kiki Iriafen stepping up, it was the USC Trojans’ freshmen who scored the points for USC. Guard Kennedy Smith led the team with 19 points, and guard Avery Howell scored 18 points. Center Rayah Marshall finished the game with ten points and led the team with nine rebounds. Iriafen and Howell both finished the game with eight rebounds.

The USC Trojans will face the UConn Huskies and Paige Bueckers in the Elite 8. It will be a rematch of last year's Elite 8. The game will take place on March 31 at 6 p.m. PT.

Mar 24, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans forward Kiki Iriafen (44) celebrates with Talia von Oelhoffen (55) and Kennedy Smith (11) after scoring in the third quarter against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during an NCAA Tournament second round game at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images | Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Fourth Quarter:

End of the game: USC’s Kiki Iriafen gets the rebound and USC calls a timeout before Iriafen is fouled. USC is fouled with 8.1 seconds to go. Kayleigh Heckel makes both free throws for USC. The USC Trojans win the game, 67-61.

0:31.5: Kansas State’s Serena Sundell hits another two points to narrow USC’s lead. USC guard Avery Howell is sent to the free-throw line and makes both shots. Kansas State’s Ayoka Lee is called for a foul on Kiki Iriafen. Iriafen misses both free throws. The USC Trojans lead the game, 65-61.

1:23: USC guard Kennedy Smith is sent to the free throw line and makes both shots. Smith gets the steal and, despite missing the shot, is sent to the free throw line again. Smith misses the first shot but hits the second. Kansas State takes a timeout. The USC Trojans lead the game, 63-59.

2:10: Kiki Iriafen is awarded two free throws, misses one but hits the second. Serena Sundell makes it a one-point game and reaches 20 points for Kansas State. USC takes a timeout. The USC Trojans lead the game, 60-59.

3:41: Ayoka Lee makes a two-point shot for Kansas State to narrow the score. USC guard Avery Howell makes another two-point shot for the Trojans. Zyanna Walker gets the shot off on time for the Wildcats and makes it for two points. USC’s Kennedy Smith hits the two-point shot for USC. The USC Trojans lead the game, 59-57.

5:56: Kansas State ties the game, but USC’s Rayah Marshall scores two points right away to take the lead back. Marshall scores another two points for USC off a rebound. The USC Trojans lead the game, 55-51.

7:45: Kansas State center Ayoka Lee the first on the board in the fourth quarter with two points. USC’s Avery Howell hits a three-point shot to extend the Trojans’ lead. Zyanna Walker keeps the score close for the Wildcats with a jumper. The USC Trojans lead the game, 51-49.

Third Quarter:

End of the third quarter: Kansas State’s Serena Sundell snaps a scoring drought. USC’s Kayleigh Heckel has a clutch steal, scoring two off a layup. USC’s Kennedy Smith is on her third foul. Sundel is sent to the free throw line, going 10-11 from the line this game. The USC Trojans lead the game, 48-45.

2:22: USC’s Kiki Iriafen makes another two points. Kennedy Smith steals the ball and scores two points, causing USC to go on a 12-0 run. The USC Trojans lead the game, 46-39.

2:58: USC’s Kennedy Smith makes one free throw to make it a one-point game. Kiki Iriafen makes a jumper for USC to take the lead back. Kansas State’s Zyanna Walker misses both free throws. USC’s Avery Howell scores two points to extend the lead. The USC Trojans lead the game, 42-39.

4:40: Kansas State guard Zyanna Walker scores two points to take the lead. USC’s Kiki Iriafen continues to struggle scoring jumper shots. USC’s Avery Howell snaps another USC scoring drought with a two-point shot. The Kansas State Wildcats lead the game, 39-37.

7:20: USC’s Rayah Marshall is the first on the board in the half, tying the game for the Trojans. Marshall followed with a key block on defense. Marshall makes another two points, giving USC the lead. Kansas State’s Serena Sundell is the first to score for the Wildcats. The game is tied, 34-34.

Second Quarter:

End of the second quarter: Kansas State’s Serena Sundell makes two free throws to bring the Wildcats to a four-point lead. USC’s Kayleigh Heckel makes a two-point shot to end the first half. The Kansas State Wildcats lead the game, 30-28.

1:00: USC’s defense forces three-straight turnovers. USC forward Kiki Iriafen scores her first points of the night. Kansas State’s Ayoka Lee scores two points, followed by a made shot by Serena Sundell to give the Wildcats the lead. The Kansas State Wildcats lead the game, 28-26.

4:39: Kansas State’s Temira Poindexter ties the game with a three-point shot. Serena Sundell makes two free throws for Kansas State, followed by USC’s Kayleigh Heckel making a two-point shot. The game is tied 24-24.

6:08: Kansas State guard Serena Sundell is fouled and makes one free throw to tie the game. Sundell makes the two-point shot to take the lead. Avery Howell makes two points for USC to tie the game. Malia Samuels makes three points to give USC the lead. USC Trojans lead the game 22-19.

7:55: Kansas State guard Serena Sundell is fouled and makes one free throw to tie the game. The game is tied 16-16

9:06: Kansas State’s Jaelyn Glenn is the first on the board this quarter with a three-point shot. USC calls a timeout as Kansas State makes it a one-point game. The USC Trojans lead the game 16-15.

First Quarter:

End of the first quarter: Kansas State’s Zyanna Walker makes a three-point shot. USC guard Kennedy Smith reaches 11 points in the first quarter with a layup. USC’s Avery Howell makes a three-point shot to end the quarter. The USC Trojans lead the game 16-9.

2:39: USC’s Kennedy Smith snaps a scoring drought for USC. Smith scores on back-to-back possessions for the Trojans. The USC Trojans lead the game 11-6.

3:50: Both teams are struggling with shooting in the first quarter. Kansas State guard Jaelyn Glenn scores on back-to-back possessions to narrow USC’s lead. The USC Trojans lead the game 7-6.

5:36: USC center Rayah Marshall is given two free throws, making both to extend USC’s lead. Kansas State's Kennedy Taylor earns two points for the Wildcats, their first points on the board. Marshall has a big block for USC. The USC Trojans lead the game 7-2.

7:30: USC guard Kennedy Smith is the first on the board, making a three-point shot. Both teams are playing tough defensively. Smith scores another two points with a layup. The USC Trojans lead the game 5-0.

Pre-Game:

The USC Trojans are on to the Sweet 16 following a 95-59 win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs. The Trojans had a tough loss with star guard JuJu Watkins exiting the game in the first quarter, but the team came together for the win. Watkins will miss the remainder of the tournament with an ACL tear.

After the game, USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb spoke to her team about how proud she is that they all stepped up with Watkins out.

“I just, I am so grateful, you guys had my back, you had each other’s back, you had Ju’s back, the fans had your back, we were a team,” Gottlieb said. “And I will never forget this game for as long as I live.”

“It’s a big deal to go to the Sweet 16. We are going to Spokane. We are going as a team,” Gottlieb said. “You gotta bring the energy and the fight and say we don’t change our goals right, but we give a little extra energy, you know, for what she would bring, but just to say anytime we’re a man down we step up for one another because that’s who we are.”

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Against Mississippi State, USC forward Kiki Iriafen had a stellar performance. Iriafen finished the game with 36 points and nine rebounds. Iriafen did not just step up statistically, but she was also a vocal leader and energized the team and the crowd.

The Trojans had five players score double-digit points. Center Rayah Marshall also finished the game with nine rebounds. Marshall was a top performer on defense and has been all season.

“It doesn’t become a team until you work through some things,” Gottlieb said at the post-game press conference. “Kiki was unbelievable, Avery as well, and it was a true team effort.”

The Trojans will be without their leading scorer, but they have proven that they have multiple players who can step up. 

Mar 24, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans center Rayah Marshall (13) claps her hands after scoring against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during an NCAA Tournament second round game at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images | Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

The Kansas State Wildcats are coming off an 80-79 overtime win against Kentucky. The Wildcats had four players score double-digit points, with forward Temira Poindexter leading the team with 24 points. Center Ayoka Lee led with nine rebounds, and guard Serena Sundell led with 14 assists. 

Kansas State is a team that will fight until the very end of the match. USC will have to play at the top of their game to earn the win.

The matchup in the Sweet 16 will be USC’s first game without Watkins. While it will be a test, USC has players who can step up. Both teams have had a couple of days off from playing games and are well-rested.

The Trojans and Wildcats have not faced since 2002, resulting in a Kansas State win. 

If USC defeats Kansas State, the Trojans will face the winner of the matchup between the No. 2 UConn Huskies and the No. 3 Oklahoma Sooners. The winners will play in the Elite 8 on March 31.

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