The Galen Center was electric Monday night as thousands of USC fans packed the arena. They all hoped to witness their Trojans secure a spot in the Sweet 16. While the team delivered a dominant performance against Mississippi State, the game was not without its emotional twists.
However, a spectacular showing from forward Kiki Iriafen fueled USC’s blowout victory.
Kiki Iriafen’s Record-Setting Performance
But the mood shifted dramatically in the first quarter when star guard JuJu Watkins suffered a devastating right knee injury. Even without their leading scorer, the Trojans steamrolled past the Bulldogs to advance to the NCAA Tournament.
Watkins’ injury was concerning, but USC proved that it is more than just a one-player team. Iriafen stepped up massively, delivering a career-best 36 points. She ensured the Trojans stayed on course for their championship aspirations. The crowd, initially subdued by Watkins’ injury, roared back to life as the team dominated both ends of the floor.
“I think it just shows how ride-or-die our fans are, and we really appreciate them,” Iriafen said after the game. “Our fans were incredible today, so that was an extra sixth-man for us… I wish we could take them to Spokane and everywhere else with us.”
USC you in the Sweet 16 😉
Kiki Iriafen puts up the most points by a USC player in an NCAA tournament game 💪 pic.twitter.com/OJAJkf766C
— espnW (@espnW) March 25, 2025
Iriafen wasted no time asserting herself as the focal point of USC’s offense. She took charge in the second quarter, scoring seven of the team’s first nine points of the period. Mississippi State attempted to claw back with a 9-0 run midway through the quarter, momentarily cutting the deficit to 15 points.
However, USC forced three straight missed shots in the final minute before Rayah Marshall. They capped off the half with a buzzer-beater, restoring a commanding 23-point lead.
Coming out of halftime, the Trojans showed no signs of slowing down. Iriafen immediately set the tone with the first basket of the third quarter. And soon after, she embarked on a personal 10-0 scoring run to push USC’s lead past 30 points.
By the time the period ended, she had single-handedly outscored the entire Mississippi State squad in those ten minutes. Her relentless play was the driving force behind a 17-3 run, effectively burying any hopes of a Bulldogs comeback.
USC’s Unrelenting Offense Crushes Mississippi State
The fourth quarter saw more of the same dominance. USC continued to pile on points, starting the final period with 13 unanswered points in under four minutes. They led to an astounding 46 points before head coach Lindsay Gottlieb gave her starters a well-deserved rest.
KEEP READING: Kiki Iriafen WNBA Draft Projections: 5 Landing Spots for the USC Forward
Iriafen finished with 36 points on an ultra-efficient 16-of-22 shooting, nine rebounds, two assists, and two blocks. Her third-quarter dominance was particularly impressive, where she alone scored 16 points while missing just one shot from the field.
The focus shifts to Spokane, where they will take on No. 5 seed Kansas State in the Sweet 16. USC will have a few days to regroup and adjust its game plan before facing Kansas State on Saturday at 5 p.m. PDT.
Don’t miss a moment of March Madness! Download your 2025 NCAA Tournament printable bracket and stay on top of every game, matchup, and Cinderella story. Get yours now!
