No. 4 USC continued its dominance in Big Ten play with an impressive 83-75 victory over No. 22 Michigan State Wednesday night. Superstar guard JuJu Watkins and forward Kiki Iriafen led the way, combining for 52 points and showcasing their offensive power.
The Trojans maintained control for most of the game, securing another key conference win. The Spartans put up a fight but couldn’t close the gap against the fourth-ranked team. Following the victory, Watkins answered questions from the press, including one about Iriafen.
JuJu Watkins Speaks About Kiki Iriafen’s Leadership
JuJu Watkins finished with 28 points, while Iriafen added 24 points and 10 rebounds, playing a crucial role in USC’s win. Their combined efforts accounted for 62.7% of the team’s total points, proving their importance to the Trojans’ success.
During the post-game press conference, Watkins shared her thoughts on Iriafen’s impact.
“I mean Kiki—who wouldn’t want to play with Kiki? I mean she can create her own shots; all you got to do is just really get her the ball on the post, so it makes my life and everybody’s life a lot easier,” Watkins said.
“And she motivates the whole team to continue to be competitive and just gives us a lot of energy on both ends of the court and as far as defense,” she continued. “…Just do whatever I can to contribute, whether that be knocking down a shot, blocking a shot, getting a steal—I mean, you know, just consider myself an all-around player.”
Watkins currently leads the Big Ten in scoring with 24.3 points per game and has recorded six games with at least 28 points this season. With this win, USC improved to 24-2 overall and 14-1 in conference play while strengthening their record against ranked teams to 7-1.
USC Clinches Double-Bye in Big Ten Tournament
With this victory over the Spartans, the Trojans secured a double-bye in the Big Ten Tournament and remain in first place with two regular-season games left. On Sunday, Watkins and USC will host Illinois for the team’s last home game.
HOLLYWOOD HOOPS: Celebrities in Awe Watching USC’s Juju Watkins Courtside
Southern Cal will close out the season with a road trip across L.A. to take on the UCLA Bruins, who are second in the conference standings, on Saturday, March 1.
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