JuJu Watkins shines as USC advances to Sweet 16 for first time in 30 years
Thuc Nhi Nguyen March 25, 2024
She banked in the final exclamation point and JuJu Watkins could finally relax. USCs star freshman smirked and shook her head as she backpedaled on defense. She wouldnt be denied.
Watkins sent the Trojans to their first Sweet 16 since 1994, scoring 28 points in
top-seeded
USCs 73-55 win over No. 8 seed Kansas in the second round of the Portland 3 Region of the NCAA tournament Monday
night
at Galen Center.
Graduate transfer McKenzie Forbes provided fireworks from three-point range with six
among hermade threes and scored
20 points. After Forbes knocked down her fifth three
of the game
to put USC up by 12 with 7:09 to go in the third, the USC band chanted, We want Baylor! We want Baylor!
USC walk-on India Otto shines in March Madness moment, delighting teammates and fans
The Trojans will face the fifth-seeded Bears in the regional semifinal in Portland,
Ore.,
after Baylor knocked off No. 4 Virginia Tech 75-72 in the second round Sunday.
But Kansas didnt let the bands prediction come true easily. The Jayhawks, who stormed back from a 10-point, fourth-quarter deficit in the first round
to beatagainst
Michigan
in overtime
, cut USCs lead to one with 1:20 remaining in the third quarter.
With a bright red scratch on her right cheek, Watkins calmly responded. The freshman scored five points in USCs 6-0 run to end the third quarter. Guard Kayla Padilla extended the run by knocking
down
a three
down
on USCs first possession of the fourth quarter and then Watkins provided the knockout punch by shoveling a no-look pass to Kaitlyn Davis
for a layup
with 6:12 remaining to put the Trojans up by 14.
The typically stoic 18-year-old waved both arms toward the crowd. Of course,
the fansthey
responded by showering the team in applause.
Forward Clarice Akunwafo anchored USCs defense inside against Kansas star Taiyanna Jackson. While Jackson collected 18 rebounds, the teams second-leading scorer was held to 10 points on seven-for-19 shooting. Akunwafo, from Rolling Hills Prep, had five points, nine rebounds, six blocks and three steals.
Plaschke: JuJu! USC’s Watkins ready to magically storm the national stage
