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JuJu Watkins struggles but USC women’s basketball beats Minnesota
In the waning moments of her worst half at USC, JuJu Watkins put her head down and drove to her left with all she had, leaning into contact, then leaping back and letting a daring jumper fly. Nine times she’d missed — from the lane, from midrange, from the corner — without a single bucket.

This was the same Trojans star who’d scored fewer than 20 points just twice this season. But as silky smooth as the sequence looked — and as strange as a slump from Watkins seemed — the step-back clanked away. The buzzer rang on an uncharacteristic 0-for-10 half for one of college basketball’s brightest stars.

Watkins looked up to the scoreboard, frustrated, as if to demand an answer.

Fortunately for USC, it found the answers it needed Thursday, even with Watkins at her worst. A star turn from Trojans forward Kiki Iriafen, along with timely contributions from its fleet of freshmen, was plenty to put away Minnesota 82-69, giving USC a 15th straight victory.

But this win — its first at home in 18 days — didn’t come as smoothly as the others. And for Watkins especially, every step seemed like a struggle.

Her touch was off. Her drives to the hoop were thwarted. Open shots refused to fall. Watkins fought through the slump in the second half, hitting six of 12 from the field. But her 29% shooting ranked among her least efficient in two seasons at USC (19-1, 9-0 Big Ten). She still managed to score 20, actually exceeding her point total from USC’s previous win over Purdue.

With Watkins struggling, Iriafen stepped into a starring role. After bumping a knee and missing the second half against Purdue last weekend, Iriafen shined from the start.

The forward had been reluctant to let it fly from three-point range, having made only two threes in her previous 19 games. But coach Lindsay Gottlieb insisted this week that she trust her stroke and test out the perimeter. So Iriafen fired deep early on, sinking one three-pointer, then another on the next possession, adding a whole new dimension to an already devastating offense. She finished with 23 points and 11 rebounds.

The three-pointers were flying, with the Trojans hitting 11 of 27. USC led from start to finish as a result, with Avery Howell adding 12 points and Kennedy Smith nine.

Still, Minnesota (18-4, 6-4) hung around until midway through the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to six points with less than eight minutes remaining. But then Howell sunk a three, and on the next possession, Watkins drove toward the hoop.

As she lifted off, Watkins was fouled. This time she made the shot, and the Trojans walked away with another win, even on a night when their superstar struggled.

In a hard-fought battle, USC women’s basketball emerged victorious against Minnesota despite star player JuJu Watkins facing struggles on the court. Watkins, known for her exceptional scoring ability, faced tough defensive pressure from the Minnesota team but still managed to contribute to the team’s success with key plays and assists.

The game was a true test of resilience for the USC team, as they had to rely on their depth and teamwork to secure the win. Watkins may not have had her usual standout performance, but her teammates stepped up to fill the void and secure the victory.

This win is a testament to the strength and determination of the USC women’s basketball team, showing that they can overcome challenges and adversity to come out on top. With Watkins leading the way and her teammates rallying behind her, the Trojans are poised for a successful season ahead.

Tags:
1. JuJu Watkins
2. USC women’s basketball
3. Minnesota
4. NCAA basketball
5. College basketball
6. Women’s sports
7. Game recap
8. USC Trojans
9. JuJu Watkins performance
10. Victory against Minnesota
#JuJu #Watkins #struggles #USC #womens #basketball #beats #Minnesota
January 31, 2025
JuJu Watkins delivers late to propel No. 4 USC past Indiana 73-66 for 13th straight win

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.

___

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college women’s basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball

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.

Tags:

JuJu Watkins, USC basketball, USC Hoops, No. 4 USC, Indiana, College Basketball, NCAA, JuJu Watkins game winner, USC victory, USC winning streak, USC vs Indiana, USC game recap, USC highlights

#JuJu #Watkins #delivers #late #propel #USC #Indiana #13th #straight #win

January 19, 2025
NCAAW: What to watch for on Sunday from JuJu Watkins, Paige Bueckers

While we’re infatuated with Unrivaled, Sunday belongs to the sport’s future, with a full slate of NCAAW games featuring top teams and players, including the future of Unrivaled.

Unrivaled investor JuJu Watkins and the No. 4 USC Trojans visit the Indiana Hoosiers (12 p.m. ET, NBC), while Unrivaled NIL signees Paige Bueckers and Flau’jae Johnson also are in action, with Bueckers and the No. 6 UConn Huskies hosting the Seton Hall Pirates (1 p.m. ET) and Johnson and the No. 5 LSU Tigers meeting the Florida Gators (1 p.m. ET, SECN).

Here’s a look at what JuJu, Paige and Flau’jae are up against:

The JuJu Show heads to Assembly Hall

JuJu Watkins.
Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images

USC’s previous game was postponed due to Northwestern deciding not to travel to California due to continued threats posed by the LA wildfires; the game was scheduled to be played in the Galen Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15.

The Trojans now hit the road for the program’s first-ever trip to Bloomington and Assembly Hall, one of college basketball’s more historic sites. It seems like the perfect stage for a Watkins masterclass. She dropped 35 points on Penn State last Sunday, her second-highest scoring game of the season. It also was Watkins’ most efficient game of the season, as she shot a season-high 86.7 percent from the field, missing just one 2-pointer and one 3-pointer. She also added 11 boards, five steals, three assists and three blocks to her starry stat line. In short, Watkins, who already was authoring a sensational sophomore season, appears to be approaching a higher gear.

That’s unfortunate news for an Indiana team that lost to Illinois at home on Thursday.

Bueckers is back!

Paige Bueckers.

On Wednesday, Bueckers returned to action for the first time since spraining her left knee against Villanova. After two games off, Bueckers scored 12 points and grabbed five rebounds in 23 minutes as the Huskies rolled against St. John’s. Head coach Geno Auriemma offered his characteristic combination of praise and critique when assessing Bueckers’ play, stating:

So I never doubt what Paige can do to impact the game, because I’ve seen it so many times, but I also know she’s not a robot where you just put her in, push the button and anything happens automatically.

Bueckers provided a positive assessment of her return, noting:

I’m just glad to be back out there. Obviously first game back from anything you just want to get your feet wet, get the feel of playing basketball again, the physicality of it, the pace of it. But feeling good.

On Sunday, she and the Huskies host another overmatched Big East foe in Seton Hall. As long as they take the court with the requisite focus, UConn should cruise to another conference win, providing the redshirt senior star the runway required to steadily ramp up her aggressiveness before the big games really begin in March.

Can Big 4 and the Tigers stay unbeaten?

Flau’jae Johnson.
Photo by Kristen Young/University Images via Getty Images

LSU is one three remaining undefeated teams, with No. 1 UCLA and No. 9 Ohio State joining them in the exclusive club.

And the Tigers should remain in that club after Sunday afternoon’s game against Florida. Although, LSU has shown a slight tendency to play down to lesser competition, escaping with closer-than-they-should-have-been wins over Washington and Stanford. However, if the Tigers do struggle to put the Gators away—especially if they’re looking ahead to a monster matchup against South Carolina on Thursday—that could result in a big game from Johnson, who repeatedly has risen to the occasion when the pressure increases. On Monday, the junior guard dropped 25 points, highlighted by 11 in the fourth quarter, to help put away a pesky Vanderbilt side.

Of course, if trouble emerges in Gainesville, senior forward Aneesah Morrow also will be there to rescue the Tigers. The definition of an automatic double-double, Morrow recently became just the eighth player in NCAA Division I basketball history to reach 2,500 points and 1,500 rebounds for their career.

Game information

No. 4 USC Trojans (16-1, 6-0) vs. Indiana Hoosiers (12-5, 4-2)

When: Sunday, Jan. 19 at 12 p.m. ET

Where: Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington, IN

How to watch: NBC

Seton Hall Pirates (13-4, 5-1) vs. No. 6 UConn Huskies (16-2, 7-0)

When: Sunday, Jan. 19 at 1 p.m. ET

Where: Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, CT

How to watch: SNY App

No. 5 LSU Tigers (19-0, 4-0) vs. Florida Gators (11-8, 2-3)

When: Sunday, Jan. 19 at 1 p.m. ET

Where: Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL

How to watch: SEC Network

NCAAW: What to watch for on Sunday from JuJu Watkins, Paige Bueckers

As the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament continues to heat up, all eyes will be on standout players JuJu Watkins and Paige Bueckers as they look to lead their teams to victory on Sunday.

Watkins, a dynamic guard for the UCLA Bruins, has been a force to be reckoned with throughout the tournament. With her scoring ability and playmaking skills, she has been a key player for the Bruins and will be someone to watch as they take on their next opponent.

On the other side, Bueckers, the talented point guard for the UConn Huskies, has been a standout player all season long. With her incredible scoring ability and basketball IQ, she has led the Huskies to numerous victories and will be a player to watch as they continue their tournament run.

Both Watkins and Bueckers will be key players to keep an eye on as they look to lead their teams to victory on Sunday. Their skills and leadership on the court will be crucial to their team’s success, and fans can expect to see some incredible performances from these two talented players. Stay tuned for what promises to be an exciting day of NCAA Women’s Basketball action!

Tags:

NCAAW, women’s college basketball, Sunday games, JuJu Watkins, Paige Bueckers, top players, matchups to watch, NCAA tournament, women’s sports, basketball stars

#NCAAW #watch #Sunday #JuJu #Watkins #Paige #Bueckers

January 19, 2025
JuJu Watkins, No. 4 USC women’s basketball cruise past Nebraska

USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb crossed her arms as she watched Nebraska storm ahead by five points in the second quarter. The Trojans’ New Year’s Day matinee at Galen Center wasn’t going according to plan.

She had watched the Cornhuskers cause No. 1 UCLA early fits Sunday before the Bruins swiftly won by 37 points. Now Gottlieb’s team was trying to withstand similar pressure.

Luckily for her, No. 4 USC responded. After using a 14-4 run to close the first half and take the lead, USC took control in the second half, riding a 26-point performance from sophomore star JuJu Watkins to defeat Nebraska 75-55 on Wednesday.

Kiki Iriafen added 14 points, extending her double-digit scoring streak to all 14 games this season. Watkins scored nine points in the third quarter, extending USC’s lead to 59-45.

Some of the Trojans’ best defensive runs came when senior center Clarice Akunwafo and sophomore guard Malia Samuels were on the floor. The bench duo contributed to holding the Cornhuskers (10-4, 1-2 Big Ten) to four points over the final 4:26 of the first quarter and played vital minutes as USC (13-1, 3-0) extended its lead in the third quarter and outscored Nebraska by nine.

Senior forward/center Rayah Marshall and Iriafen held All-Big Ten center Alexis Markowski to three-for-11 shooting and seven points, including just two in the first half.

Guard Logan Nissley led Nebraska with 14 points.

USC will face Rutgers and Maryland next on its first multigame conference trip of the season.

In a dominant display of skill and teamwork, JuJu Watkins and the No. 4 USC women’s basketball team cruised past Nebraska in a thrilling matchup. Watkins, known for her sharp shooting and tenacious defense, led the charge with her impressive performance on both ends of the court.

From the opening tip-off, USC controlled the game with their fast-paced offense and suffocating defense. Watkins displayed her versatility, scoring at will and making key defensive stops to stifle Nebraska’s offense. Her leadership on the court was evident as she guided her teammates to victory with her poise and determination.

The entire USC team showcased their depth and talent, with contributions from every player on the roster. The chemistry and cohesion displayed by the team were a testament to their hard work and dedication to success.

As the final buzzer sounded, USC emerged victorious with a commanding win over Nebraska. With JuJu Watkins leading the way, the future looks bright for the No. 4 USC women’s basketball team as they continue their journey towards greatness.

Tags:

JuJu Watkins, USC women’s basketball, Nebraska, college basketball, women’s sports, NCAA basketball, USC Trojans, game recap, dominant win

#JuJu #Watkins #USC #womens #basketball #cruise #Nebraska

January 1, 2025
Powerful Juju: Goddesses, Music & Magic for Comfort, Guidance & Protection

Price: ~~$16.99~~ – $14.21
(as of Dec 12,2024 16:16:35 UTC – Details)

From the brand

As the world’s oldest and largest independent publisher of books for body, mind, and spirit, Llewellyn is dedicated to bringing our readers the very best in metaphysical books and resources. Since 1901, we’ve been a source of illumination, instruction, and new perspectives on a wealth of topics, including Paganism and witchcraft, astrology, tarot, wellness, magic and the occult, and the paranormal.

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Publisher ‏ : ‎ Llewellyn Publications (September 8, 2022)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 216 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0738767158
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0738767154
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 0.47 x 8.03 inches

In times of uncertainty and chaos, it’s important to turn to sources of comfort, guidance, and protection. One powerful way to tap into these energies is through the use of juju, a term that encompasses the spiritual practices of many African and Afro-Caribbean cultures.

Goddesses play a significant role in juju practices, embodying various aspects of femininity and power. Oshun, the Yoruba goddess of love and fertility, can offer comfort and healing during difficult times. Yemaya, the Orisha of the ocean, can provide guidance and strength in navigating emotional waters. And Oya, the Orisha of storms and transformation, can offer protection and empowerment in times of upheaval.

Music is another potent tool in juju practices, as it has the power to uplift our spirits, soothe our souls, and connect us to higher realms. Drumming, chanting, and singing can help us to raise our vibration and align with the energies of the divine.

Magic is also a key component of juju practices, as it allows us to tap into the unseen forces of the universe and manifest our desires. Spells, rituals, and charms can be used to invoke the aid of the goddesses, call upon ancestral spirits, and create a protective shield around us.

By incorporating goddess worship, music, and magic into our lives, we can access a wellspring of comfort, guidance, and protection that can sustain us through even the darkest of times. Let us embrace the power of juju and allow it to infuse our lives with love, light, and blessings.
#Powerful #Juju #Goddesses #Music #Magic #Comfort #Guidance #Protection

December 12, 2024
Powerful Juju: Goddesses, Music & Magic for Comfort, Guidance & Protection

Price: $14.16
(as of Dec 04,2024 17:24:14 UTC – Details)

From the brand

As the world’s oldest and largest independent publisher of books for body, mind, and spirit, Llewellyn is dedicated to bringing our readers the very best in metaphysical books and resources. Since 1901, we’ve been a source of illumination, instruction, and new perspectives on a wealth of topics, including Paganism and witchcraft, astrology, tarot, wellness, magic and the occult, and the paranormal.

Shop All Witchcraft & Paganism

Shop All Tarot Decks & Books

Shop All Calendars & Datebooks

Shop All Body & Soul/Wellness

Shop All Astrology

Shop All Magick & Occult

Shop All Paranormal

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09RK47NYD
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Llewellyn Publications (September 8, 2022)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 8, 2022
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 2756 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 216 pages

In times of uncertainty and turmoil, turning to powerful juju can provide comfort, guidance, and protection. Goddesses, music, and magic have long been sources of strength and inspiration for those seeking solace and support in challenging times.

Goddesses from various cultures and traditions offer wisdom, guidance, and protection to those who call upon them. Whether it’s the fierce and protective Durga from Hindu mythology, the nurturing and compassionate Mother Mary from Christianity, or the fierce and independent Oya from Yoruba tradition, goddesses embody the divine feminine energy that can provide comfort and guidance in times of need.

Music has the power to soothe the soul and lift the spirits, offering a sense of comfort and connection to something greater than ourselves. Whether it’s the haunting melodies of traditional chants, the powerful rhythms of drumming, or the soul-stirring lyrics of a favorite song, music can be a powerful tool for invoking feelings of peace, strength, and protection.

Magic, in its many forms, can also be a source of comfort and guidance. Whether it’s through rituals, spells, charms, or simply connecting with the natural world, magic can help us tap into our inner strength and intuition, providing us with the tools we need to navigate life’s challenges with grace and resilience.

So, in times of uncertainty and fear, remember the power of goddesses, music, and magic to provide comfort, guidance, and protection. Let their energy surround you, uplift you, and empower you as you move through life’s twists and turns. Trust in their wisdom and embrace their magic, knowing that you are never alone on your journey.
#Powerful #Juju #Goddesses #Music #Magic #Comfort #Guidance #Protection

December 4, 2024