USC Women’s Basketball Shines Bright in Second Half Showdown, Toppling No. 23 Michigan at Galen Center

LOS ANGELES — The No. 4 USC women’s basketball squad showcased an impressive performance in its initial Big Ten Conference battle at Galen Center, converting a closely contested matchup into a significant win as the Trojans triumphed over visiting No. 23 Michigan 78-58. JuJu Watkins recorded her 17th career 30-point game, concluding with 31 points to lead the Trojans in front of an audience of 8,043. After outscoring Michigan 44-27 in the latter half, USC improves to 12-1 overall and now stands 2-0 in Big Ten competition. The Wolverines drop to 10-3, 1-1. 

Michigan shot 50 percent from beyond the arc in the first half, sinking six threes to keep the Wolverines in close proximity to the Trojans, who led 34-31 at halftime. USC managed three 3-pointers and maintained a shooting percentage of 43.3 overall, outdoing Michigan’s 34.5 percent first-half performance. Additionally, USC held a slight advantage on the boards, leading 20-18 at the break. The Wolverines went silent offensively for more than seven minutes in the second half, allowing the Trojans to seize control. Michigan managed only one 3-pointer during the second half and ended the game with a shooting percentage of 33.3 overall, trailing USC’s effective 46.6 percent. Michigan did lead in rebounding 38-37, but ultimately, it was USC’s strong second half that ensured a commanding victory.

Watkins’ 31-point game featured a season-best 13-of-14 performance from the charity stripe. She also contributed nine assists and recorded a game-high three blocks. Joining her in double figures were Kiki Iriafen with 18 points and Rayah Marshall with 15. For Michigan, three players reached double digits — Jordan Hobbs (19 points), Greta Kampschroeder (14), and Olivia Olson (11).

USC countered consecutive Wolverine 3-pointers with shots from Kayleigh Heckel and JuJu Watkins, along with a block from Avery Howell, to propel the Trojans to a 15-11 lead with 1:50 left in the first. Watkins followed up with a free throw, fueling an 8-0 USC run for a 17-11 Trojan lead after the first quarter. Michigan narrowed the gap to four points early in the second, only to have USC respond with a 6-0 run on scores from Rayah Marshall and Watkins. Watkins reached double digits shortly after, scoring a floater in the lane and increasing USC’s lead to 29-21 with 5:30 remaining in the half. The Wolverines returned fire, hitting three 3-pointers in under three minutes and adding another basket to cut the margin to 32-29 with 1:45 left in the first half. Only free throws accounted for the rest of the scoring in the half as USC held a 34-31 advantage at the intermission.

The early moments of the third quarter were frenetic, with Michigan briefly taking the lead with an initial push until Watkins leveled it at 36-36. The two teams exchanged baskets before Avery Howell broke the pattern with a quality finish, which Rayah Marshall complemented with a three-point play, establishing a 43-38 USC lead five minutes into the period. Watkins effectively drew fouls, making 10 of her 11 free throws and helping USC secure a 57-47 lead heading into the final quarter. An 8-0 scoring burst from Kiki Iriafen—who was playing with four fouls—pushed USC to a 65-47 lead before Michigan recorded its first field goal in over seven minutes. USC countered with back-to-back scoring from Watkins and additional buckets from Iriafen to increase their lead to 73-49 with 3:45 to go. The Trojans kept the momentum going when Malia Samuels intercepted the ball, and Howell connected on a 3-pointer to cap off an 11-0 USC scoring run, extending the lead to 76-49 with 3:30 remaining. Although Michigan managed some late goals, the Trojan victory was already secured as USC concluded the game with a 78-58 score.

NEXT: 

USC will continue its first Big Ten Conference home stand this week, hosting Nebraska at noon on New Year’s Day.

 

NOTABLE:

– With tonight’s 31 points, SO JuJu Watkins ascended to No. 18 in all-time scoring at USC (1,248 points).

– Watkins has now achieved seventeen 30-point games in 47 career outings.

– Both Watkins (31 points) and GS Kiki Iriafen (18) have scored in double digits in all 13 USC contests this season.

– Watkins achieved a season-best with 13 free throws made.

– Watkins has drained at least one 3-pointer in each of the last eight games.

– SR Rayah Marshall matched her season high with 15 points tonight.

– With one block, Marshall has recorded at least one block in the past 11 games.

– FR Avery Howell established a career high with two blocks.

– The Trojans limited the Wolverines to a season-low 58 points.

– USC outpaced Michigan 14-0 in fast-break scoring.

– The Trojans have now claimed nine 20-point victories this season.

– USC is currently 3-1 against ranked teams this season.

– This victory marks USC’s first win over Michigan, bringing the series record to 1-2 dating back to 2007-08.