In their first game without JuJu Watkins, the USC Trojans women’s basketball team survived a tough battle with Kansas State, winning 67-61 to advance to the Elite Eight. They will face Paige Bueckers and UConn on Monday night.
The No. 1 Trojans are in the Elite Eight for the second consecutive season, but they had a tough night shooting. A pair of freshmen powered USC: Kennedy Smith put up 19 points while Avery Howell matched her career-high 18 points. Kiki Iriafen struggled, putting up just 7 points on 3-of-13 shooting. She did pull down 8 rebounds, dish out an assist and nab a steal.
‘I think just everybody has confidence in each other,’ Smith said after the game. ‘With JuJu going down, I think everybody stepped up, and I think everybody has confidence in each other.’
The No. 5 Wildcats were trying to get to the Elite Eight for just the second time ever. Serena Sundell had a game-high 22 points, Ayoka Lee added 12 and Jaelyn Glenn added 10.
USA TODAY Sports brought you live updates, scores, highlights and analysis throughout the game. Check it out.
Who does USC women’s basketball play in Elite Eight?
The Trojans play Paige Bueckers and UConn in the Elite Eight on Monday at 9 p.m. ET. Bueckers is coming off a career-high 40-point performance in the Sweet 16. Here is an early preview of UConn vs. USC women’s basketball.
Avery Howell stats
USC freshman Avery Howell turned in a career-high 18 points against Kansas State, providing a much needed boost for the Trojans. She was 4-of-8 from 3, and recorded 8 boards, 4 steals and an assist. On the season, she averages 7.1 points per game.
Kennedy Smith stats
Kennedy Smith scored 19 points (7-of-14 shooting), 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals for the Trojans.
JuJu Watkins injury: What to know
The superstar USC guard suffered a season-ending knee injury in a second-round game against Mississippi State. Here’s everything you need to know about her injury and recovery timeline.
Women’s March Madness bracket
Here’s the Elite Eight schedule.
No. 1 South Carolina vs. No. 2 Duke, Sunday, 1 p.m. on ABC
No. 1 UCLA vs. No. 3 LSU, Sunday, 3 p.m. on ABC
No. 1 Texas vs. No. 2 TCU, Monday, 7 p.m. on ESPN
No. 2 UConn vs. USC, Monday, 9 p.m. on ESPN
Serena Sundell stats
Kansas State’s Serena Sundell got to the free throw line 11 times, sinking 10, to go along with 6-of-13 shooting for 22 points.
USC vs. Kansas State score in 3Q
The Trojans went on a 12-0 run in the third quarter to take a 48-45 lead. Kiki Iriafen got up to 6 points for USC, although it was a tough night shooting for her (3-of-13 from the floor). Rayah Marshall had 6 points and 6 boards through three, while Avery Howell had 11 on 4-of-6 shooting. Kennedy Smith led USC with 14 points through three.
For the Wildcats, Serena Sundell recorded 18 points through three quarters and Jaelyn Glenn had 10.
USC vs. Kansas State score at halftime
The Wildcats led the Trojans 30-28 at halftime. For the Wildcats, Temira Poindexter logged 6 points, Serena Sundell had 8, Jaelyn Glenn put up 9, and Zyanna Walker scored 3. For USC, Kennedy Smith scored 11, Avery Howell had 6 and Rayah Marshall and Kiki Iriafen had 2 apiece.
USC women’s basketball vs. Kansas State score after 1Q
The Trojans held a 16-9 advantage after the opening quarter. Kennedy Smith led all scorers with 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting, including 1-of-3 from 3, in the frame.
USC women’s basketball roster
The Trojans were led all season by JuJu Watkins before she suffered a season-ending knee injury. But Kiki Iriafen showed what she’s capable of with her 36-piece in the second round; she averages 18.6 a game on the season to go along with 8.5 rebounds. Kennedy Smith (9.2), Rayah Marshall (7.4) and Avery Howell (7.1) are also key contributors. Here is the full USC women’s basketball roster.
Kiki Iriafen stats
USC forward Kiki Iriafen stepped up in a big way when JuJu Watkins went down in the second round of the NCAA women’s tournament. Iriafen recorded a team-high 36 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks in the 96-59 victory over No. 9 Mississippi State. The senior averages 18.6 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. She shoots 50.6% from the floor and 30.8% from 3.
How tall is Kiki Iriafen?
Kiki Iriafen is 6-foot-3.
JuJu Watkins shirt
The Trojans are rocking pregame Nike shirts with JuJu Watkins on them.
‘It just was a team decision that we love her, and we know she’s watching at home,’ USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb said pregame. ‘We got her back. We know her imprints are all over this program and we are going to channel her energy today and fight for USC.’
Kansas State women’s basketball roster
The Wildcats are led by center Ayoka Lee, Serena Sundell and Temira Poindexter. Lee leads the team in scoring with 15.6 points per game, to go along with 6.4 rebounds and 2 blocks; Sundell averages 13.9 points, 7.3 assists and 1.1 steals per game while Poindexter, who shoots 40.5% from 3, records 12.7 points per game. Here is the full Kansas State women’s basketball roster.
What grade is JuJu Watkins in?
JuJu Watkins is a sophomore at USC.
Where is JuJu Watkins from?
Watkins is from Los Angeles.
USC vs. Kansas State women’s basketball predictions
Nancy Armour, USA TODAY: USC
Cora Hall, Knoxville News-Sentinel: USC
Meghan L. Hall, For The Win: USC
Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY: USC
Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY: USC
Cory Diaz, Lafayette Advertiser: Kansas State
Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times: USC