USC women’s basketball stars, JuJu Watkins and Kiki Iriafen, combined for 52 points as the No. 4 Trojans defeated No. 22 Michigan State 83-75 Wednesday night. Watkins scored 28 points and added eight rebounds and two assists, while Iriafen scored 24 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and dished out three assists.
USC HC Lindsay Gottlieb Praises Dynamic Duo
An Instagram post by March Madness revealed the dynamic duo’s impressive combined stats following the game.
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“A Dynamic Duo ✌️…With last night’s performances, this makes 8 times that Kiki Iriafen and JuJu Watkins have both scored 20+ points in a game. Which is the most by a USC duo since 2000,” the post read.
In addition, Watkins and Iriafen’s combined points rank second among teammates to score at least 20 in the same game this season. They are behind Vanderbilt’s Khamil Pierre and Mikayla Blakes, who have achieved this milestone ten times.
Following the game, USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb shared her insights on the performance of two of her outstanding players.
“Kiki and Juju are the best duo in the country,” Gottlieb confidently said. “They played like it tonight.”
Watkins also recognized the chemistry she shared with Iriafen on the court.
“Who wouldn’t wanna play with Kiki,” Watkins said. “It makes my life and everybody’s life easier.”
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While USC made a strong start against Michigan State, the Trojans committed 23 turnovers, with Iriafen contributing six and Watkins adding five.
However, they forced 21 turnovers and built their lead to 21 points late into the third quarter. Still, the Spartans would not go down so easily and fought back with a 15-4 run to get within two possessions with four minutes remaining.
Michigan State forward Grace VanSlooten scored a career-high 29 points, shooting 9-of-18 from the field and an impressive 11-of-12 from the free-throw line. But a jumper by USC guard Kennedy Smith and Watkins’ fast break layup pushed the Trojans back ahead, eventually winning the game.
Meanwhile, Watkins had an injury scare when she went down to the floor, grasping the back of her neck. She went to the locker room and returned to the court in the first half’s final minutes.
With two games left before the conference tournament, the No. 4 USC Trojans will host No. 25 Illinois in their last home game of the season on Sunday.
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