BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — JuJu Watkins scored 22 points and Rayah Marshall added 13 points and 10 rebounds to help No. 4 Southern California overcame an 11-point deficit and hold on for a 73-66 victory at Indiana on Sunday.
The Trojans (17-1, 7-0 Big Ten) won their 13th straight game. Watkins made sure of it with her late flourish — a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to end the third quarter to give the Trojans a 51-50 lead and seven points in a 12-0 fourth-quarter run.
Sydney Parrish led the Hoosiers with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Chloe Moore-McNeil score 13 points and Yarden Garzon had 10 points and nine rebounds as Indiana (12-6, 4-3) lost its second straight home game.
Southern Cal trailed 25-14 early in the second quarter, fought back to take a 38-32 halftime lead, extended the margin to nine in the third quarter and then needed Watkins to save them late.
Takeaways
USC: It took the Trojans time to warm up on a day temperatures hovered in the 30s and wind chills were in single digits. Once they did, the Trojans showed why they’ve been one of the nation’s best teams all season.
Indiana: The scrappy Hoosiers showed their new conference member what Indiana basketball is supposed to look like. They played defense, forced turnovers and made life difficult for Watkins.
Key moment
Watkins struggled to find her groove most of the game, but the 3 at the end of the third quarter got her started. The last of her seven points during that 12-0 run gave Southern Cal a 63-55 lead with 4:27 to go.
Key stat
Indiana relies heavily on its 3-point shooting but was just 8 of 29 on a day when it was outscored 28-16 in the paint.
Up next
The Trojans continue their Midwestern swing Wednesday at Purdue. Indiana returns to action Friday at Oregon.
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In a thrilling matchup between No. 4 USC and Indiana, JuJu Watkins came up clutch in the final moments to propel the Trojans to a 73-66 victory, extending their winning streak to 13 games.
Watkins, a standout guard for USC, delivered when it mattered most, scoring crucial baskets down the stretch to help secure the hard-fought win. Her performance was a testament to her skill and composure under pressure, making her a key player in the Trojans’ success this season.
The victory over Indiana was a significant milestone for USC, as they continue to climb the rankings and establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with in college basketball. With Watkins leading the way, the Trojans are proving themselves as a team capable of competing with the best in the country.
As they look ahead to the rest of the season, USC will undoubtedly rely on JuJu Watkins to continue delivering in clutch moments and leading them to victory. With her talent and determination, the Trojans are primed for success as they chase their championship aspirations.
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