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USC blows out No. 8 Ohio State, sets up showdown with No. 1 UCLA

Erik-McKinneyby: Erik McKinney02/09/25ErikTMcKinney
USC Trojans forward Kiki Iriafen (44) shoots between Ohio State Buckeyes forward Eboni Walker (55) and Ohio State Buckeyes guard Jaloni Cambridge (22) during the third quarter at Galen Center
USC Trojans forward Kiki Iriafen (44) shoots between Ohio State Buckeyes forward Eboni Walker (55) and Ohio State Buckeyes guard Jaloni Cambridge (22) during the third quarter at Galen Center. (Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images)

The No. 7 USC Trojans (21-2, 11-2 Big Ten) authored a statement win on Saturday night against No. 8 Ohio State and they did it despite a poor offensive night from star JuJu Watkins. Standout forward Kiki Iriafen did more than pick up the slack as she posted 24 points and 13 rebounds in an 84-63 win for the Trojans.

USC overcame a quick 7-2 start by Ohio State and an Avery Howell three-pointer with 4:14 left in the first quarter gave the Trojans a 10-9 lead they would not relinquish. The Trojans led 34-26 going into halftime and used a 9-2 run to close the third quarter to take a 14-point lead into the final 10 minutes.

It was an impressive win for USC over an Ohio State team that had lost just once this season before getting swept on a trip through Los Angeles. But the Trojans will need more efficiency and effectiveness from Watkins as they go forward. Next up is a visit from No. 1 UCLA.

Watkins again scored in double digits as she has done every game this season but needed 21 shots to score 17 points. She continued her streak of making at least one three-pointer in 18-straight games but that lone make came with the game in hand late in the fourth quarter. She’s made just four of her last 25 shots from beyond the arc and that matches the streak of cold shooting from everywhere on the floor. She hasn’t hit on 40% of her shots in any game since going 6-for-15 against Purdue five games ago.

That run against Ohio State, Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota has seen her shoot just 24-for-78 from the field for shooting percentage of 30.8%. She shot 40.1% from the floor last season and was hitting 45.8% before entering this four-game skid.

Up next for USC is a visit from the No. 1 and undefeated UCLA Bruins for a Thursday night matchup in Galen that will take place in front of a sold-out crowd.

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Garry Paskwietz (1966-2019)

Garry Paskwietz was a pioneer in bringing team-specific sports coverage to the internet. He founded WeAreSC in 1998 and was an Emmy winner for his work with Fox Sports West. Always generous with his time, knowledge, and compassion, he touched the lives of countless USC and high school football fans.

Garry Paskwietz