JuJu Watkins Carried Off Court With Leg Injury: USC Trojans Defeat Mississippi State

The No. 1 USC Trojans defeated the No. 2 Mississippi State Bulldogs, 96-59. USC guard JuJu Watkins left the game in the first quarter with a knee injury. The USC Trojans will play Kansas State on March 29 in the Sweet 16.

Mar 8, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South California Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) attempts a free throw against Michigan Wolverines during the second half of the Big Ten Conference Tournament semifinals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Stephanie Amador Blondet-Imagn Images | Stephanie Amador Blondet-Imagn Images

The No. 1 USC Trojans defeated the No. 2 Mississippi State Bulldogs, 96-59. USC guard JuJu Watkins left the game in the first quarter with a leg injury, but the Trojans managed to keep up the pace and energy for the win.

USC forward Kiki Iriafen was a top player for the Trojans. Not only did she score 36 points, Iriafen was a leader, energizing the team and the crowd. The team had to utilize their freshman on the bench, and they all stepped up. The USC Trojans had five players reach double-digit points.

The Trojans will move on to the Sweet 16 to face the Kansas State Wildcats on Saturday, March 29 at 5 p.m. PT.

A developing story... With four minutes left in the first quarter, USC star guard JuJu Watkins went down with a non-contact leg injury. Watkins appeared in extreme pain and could not stand up. She was carried off the court. USC announced that Watkins will not return to the game. More updates to come. 

USC's statement on Watkins' injury, per Washington Post's Ben Golliver: "JuJu Watkins is being evaluated by USC Keck Medicine staff and will not return to competition in tonight’s NCAA Second Round game."

Monday night's matchup will be the final game held at Galen Center this year. The Trojans have not won the NCAA Tournament since 1984, but with a strong squad this season, are looking to get their first tournament win in over 40 years.

Mar 8, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South California Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) attempts a free throw against Michigan Wolverines during the second half of the Big Ten Conference Tournament semifinals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Stephanie Amador Blondet-Imagn Images | Stephanie Amador Blondet-Imagn Images

Fourth Quarter:

End of the Game: The USC Trojans win, 96-59.

3:07: Kayleigh Heckel reached a career-high of 18 points. Rayah Marshall was subbed out of the game. The USC Trojans lead the game, 95-53.

5:16: KiKi Iriafen was subbed out of the game after finishing with 36 points. Kayleigh Heckel is the fifth player on the Trojans to reach double-digits. The USC Trojans lead the game, 90-47.

7:29: The Trojans reach a 44-point lead. Iriafen is up to 36 points for the night. Mississippi calls a timeout to try to keep the team in the game. The USC Trojans lead the game, 86-42.

Third Quarter:

End of the third quarter: Kiki Iriafen reaches a season-high 31 points. Kayleigh Heckel ends the quarter with a layup to extend USC’s lead. The USC Trojans lead the game, 75-42.

2:40: Mississippi State’s Jerkaila Jordan makes a three-point shot. Rayah Marshall is fouled while making two points. Marshall makes the free throw. Mississippi State starts to gain momentum, forcing USC to take a time out. The USC Trojans lead the game, 71-42.

4:58: Kiki Iriafen makes another two points for the Trojans while being fouled. USC reaches their largest lead of the game with a difference of 30 points. The USC Trojans lead the game, 64-34.

6:20: Kiki Iriafen reaches over 20 points for the 13th time this season. Iriafen has full momentum and makes another two points while being fouled causing Mississippi State to take a timeout. The USC Trojans lead the game, 60-34.

8:06: Kiki Iriafen is the first on the board with two points for USC. Madina Okot responded with two points for the Bulldogs. Mississippi State picks up the pressure but Iriafen and Rayah Marshall connect to extend the lead. The USC Trojans lead the game, 54-34.

Second Quarter:

End of the second quarter: USC guard Kennedy Smith reaches the double-digits for USC. Rayah Marshall finished the half with a three-point shot for the Trojans. The USC Trojans lead the game, 50-27.

1:58: Mississippi State goes on a 9-0 run. Iriafen ended the run for Mississippi State scoring two. Avery Howell reaches double-digit points for USC at 10. The USC Trojans lead the game, 43-23.

4:00: Mississippi State guard Jerkaila Jordan makes a two-point shot. Malia Samuels is back in the game for USC. The USC Trojans lead the game, 38-18.

6:07: Iriafen makes a two-point jumper for the Trojans to extend their lead. Freshman Malia Samuels is on the ground being attended to by trainers with an apparent head injury. Samuels could be seen hitting her head as she landed on the court. Samuels went to the locker room but came right back out to the bench. The USC Trojans lead the game, 37-14.

7:11: Iriafen is on a roll and stepping up for USC reaching 11 points. Mississippi State is facing foul troubles early in the game. The USC Trojans lead the game, 35-14.

8:00: Mississippi State’s Chandler Prater is the first on the board. USC responds quickly with a shot by Kiki Iriafen. Rayah Marshall and USC’s defense continue to dominate on the court. The USC Trojans lead the game, 33-12.

First Quarter:

End of the first quarter: Bulldogs Jerkaila Jordan makes a clutch two points. USC’s Avery Howell finished the quarter with a three-point shot. The USC Trojans lead the game, 28-8.

0:52.4: Kiki Iriafen is called for USC’s first foul of the game. Mississippi State is already at four fouls in the first quarter, with Madina Okot with two. The USC Trojans lead the game, 25-6.

3:02: Mississippi State continues to struggle offensively with strong defensive play by the Trojans. Mississippi State has to use another time-out to slow down the momentum. The USC Trojans lead the game, 17-2.

4:43: The Trojans open up with momentum. Kiki Iriafen makes her first points of the game with a three-point shot. JuJu Watkins is on the ground and grabs her knee in clear pain. Had to be carried off the court following a non-contact injury. The USC Trojans lead the game, 13-2.

JuJu Watkins has to be carried off the floor. pic.twitter.com/P0A03G8av7

— Connor Morrissette (@C_Morrissette) March 25, 2025

7:10: Mississippi State begins the game with multiple turnovers. After over a minute of scoreless action, USC guard Talia von Oelhoffen is the first on the board with a three-point shot. Center Rayah Marshall extends the lead with two points. JuJu Watkins earns two free throws, making one. The USC Trojans lead the game, 9-0.

Pre-Game:

Betting Odds:

The USC Trojans are 19.5-point favorites to defeat the Mississippi State Bulldogs on FanDuel Sportsbook. The moneyline for USC is -4500 and the total points are 144.5.

USC vs. Mississippi State preview:

The Trojans defeated the UNC Greensboro Spartans, 71-21. USC had a slow first quarter, but stepped it up throughout the game, especially on defense. The Trojans did not allow the Spartans to score more than ten points in each quarter. 

USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins led the Trojans in scoring with 22 points. She also joined former Ohio State Buckeyes guard Kelsey Mitchell as the only two players to record over 1,700 points in their first two seasons. Watkins also stands at No. 6 for all-time points in USC women’s basketball history at 1,706 points.

Forward Kiki Iriafen had a slow start to the game, but with a strong second half, she finished the game with 13 points and led the team with 13 rebounds. Center Rayah Marshall led the Trojans with seven blocks.

Mar 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lindsay Gottlieb during the second quarter of an NCAA Tournament game against the UNC Greensboro Spartans at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images | Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

After the game, USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb spoke to the media about the game, acknowledging that the team did start slow on offense.

“I thought we were a little bit rusty on offense early, but also that was credit to UNCG who came out and played some tough D,” Gottlieb said. “I thought we figured it out together. I thought our defense was our calling card, I think the pressure helped get us going.

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“I thought we got contributions from everyone. I thought, you know, our bench came in and did a really good job today as well as, you know, our go-to people sitting right there who hold us down day in and day out,” Gottlieb continued.

Something to watch in the matchup against Mississippi State is Watkins and potential lingering injuries. Early in the game, Watkins continuously shook her hand showing signs of pain, but played through. 

In the third quarter, Watkins landed awkwardly on her ankle, causing her to exit the game. Watkins did return to the matchup and played through it. After the game, Watkins spoke about her injuries.

“Oh yeah, I’m all good,” Watkins said. “I wasn’t worried at all."

USC Trojans guard Kennedy Smith (11), center Rayah Marshall (13) and guard Talia von Oelhoffen (55) react to a foul during the second half of the 2025 TIAA Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament final game against the UCLA Bruins on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. UCLA defeated USC 72-67. | Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Mississippi State Bulldogs are coming off a win against the No. 8 California Golden Bears, 59-46. Center Madina Okat and guard Eniya Russell both led the Bulldogs with 14 points. Okot also led the team with 13 rebounds. Mississippi State guard Jerkaila Jordan led the team with four steals.

The Bulldogs played well defensively in the first round, limiting California to just 46 points. The Trojans will need to start stronger than they did against UNCG to avoid an upset.

If USC defeats Mississippi State, the Trojans will face the Kansas State Wildcats in the Sweet 16.

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