USC Women’s Basketball Faces Off Against Maryland in High-Stakes Top-10 Showdown

Women’s Basketball | January 06, 2025

#4 USC (14-1, 4-0) at #8 Maryland (14-0, 4-0)
XFINITY Center | College Park, Md. | Wednesday, Jan. 8 | 8:30 p.m. ET
Series Record (since 1979-80): USC leads 5-1 (W2)
First Meeting: W 63-61 [1/4/80 • College Park]
Last Meeting: W 68-62 [12/29/95 • Westwood, Calif.]
TV: FS1 (Commentators: Sloane Martin & Christy Winters Scott)| STATS

THIS WEEK         

No. 4/5 USC is on a trip to the East Coast for more Big Ten competition. The Trojans visited Rutgers on Sunday evening and secured a 92-42 victory over the Scarlet Knights in Piscataway, N.J. USC (14-1, 4-0 Big Ten) is now set to face No. 8/7 Maryland (14-0, 4-0) for an 8:30 p.m. ET matchup on Wednesday (Jan. 8) in College Park, Md.

FOLLOW ALONG    

USC’s match at Rutgers was aired on Big Ten Network, with Ed Cohen and Meghan McKeown providing commentary. The game against Maryland will be shown on FS1, featuring Sloane Martin and Christy Winters Scott as commentators. All of USC’s matches are also available live on ESPN radio, and the audio can be streamed at USCTrojans.com/listen and through the USC Trojans GameDay app, with Eli Kleinmann on the radio broadcasts.

IN THE POLLS        

USC is currently ranked No. 4 in the latest AP poll (issued Jan. 6) and was at No. 5 in the latest USA TODAY Coaches poll (as of Dec. 31). The Trojans held a No. 3 ranking in both the AP and USA TODAY preseason polls and maintained that position in the national rankings for the first three weeks of the 2024-25 season, marking their highest preseason placement since 1984, when USC opened at No. 1 after clinching back-to-back national titles. USC concluded last season ranked No. 5 in the final AP standings.

QUICK HITS        

• Kiki Iriafen and JuJu Watkins have achieved double-digit scoring in all 15 games for USC this season.

• Watkins has successfully made at least one 3-pointer in the past 10 games.

• Iriafen and Watkins became only the second pair from USC to score over 30 points each in a game during their performance against SLU on Nov. 29. [The first pair was Lisa Leslie and Tammy Story against Texas on Nov. 25, 1990.]

• Head Coach Lindsay Gottlieb garnered her 300th career win as a head coach in USC’s 123-39 triumph over CSUN on Nov. 12.

• Watkins reached her 1,000th career point against Santa Clara on Nov. 15, becoming the fastest player in USC history to achieve 1,000 points in her career (38 games).

• The previous record was set at 48 games by Cheryl Miller in 1983-84.

• Watkins’s 1,000 points in 38 games is the second quickest in Division 1 women’s basketball history, with just three players achieving the milestone in 37 games before her.

• Watkins is the 30th Trojan to score 1,000 points at USC.

• Watkins set a new USC single-game 3-point record by making nine 3-pointers against CBU on Dec. 3.

• Rayah Marshall reached her 1,000th career point on Nov. 9 against Cal Poly, becoming the 29th USC player to score 1,000 or more points throughout her career as a Trojan.

• On Jan. 5, Marshall achieved her 1,000th career rebound, becoming one of only eight Trojans to have amassed 1,000 points along with 1,000 rebounds at USC.

• Marshall ranks No. 3 in USC’s history for career blocks (265) and No. 7 for career rebounds (1,004).

• Marshall has recorded at least one block in the last 13 games for USC (30 total during that span).

• USC has seen two games this season where they scored over 100 points — the most since achieving this feat twice in 1993-94.

• The 124 points USC scored against CSUN is the highest total in a game in program history (previous record: 121 against Southern Methodist on 3/1/86).

• The 85-point win over CSUN stands as USC’s largest victory margin in history, surpassing the previous record of 75 points against UC Santa Barbara on Feb. 27, 1981.

• USC’s 124 points vs. CSUN are the second highest in Big Ten history, following Purdue’s 129 points against Kent State on 12/8/1990.

• USC’s victory against No. 20 Ole Miss on Nov. 4 marked the first instance in program history where the Trojans played and defeated ranked teams in consecutive season openers.

• In addition, during the Nov. 4 win, USC had two players achieving double-doubles (Kiki Iriafen and JuJu Watkins) in a season opener for the first time since 2010 (Briana Gilbreath and Christina Marinacci against Gonzaga).

• Finishing last season with a record of 29-6, USC achieved its most wins since going 31-5 in 1985-86 under head coach Linda Sharp.

• Last season, USC secured the program’s first No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament since 1986.

• USC’s run to the NCAA Elite Eight in 2024 was its first occurrence since 1994.

• The Trojans’ 23 regular-season victories last season signified their most such victories since 1993-94.

LAST ACTION        

JuJu Watkins achieved her 11th double-double of her career, and Rayah Marshall surpassed the 1,000-rebound milestone during a dominant Big Ten victory for USC, which claimed its 10th successive win with a score of 92-42 against Rutgers. The Trojans improved to 14-1 overall and maintain a 4-0 record in Big Ten play, successfully getting 10 different players on the scoreboard in Piscataway. USC took early command and distributed the ball effectively, with seven Trojans contributing to the score as USC established a significant 37-14 lead at halftime against Rutgers. They shot 38.7 percent from the floor in the opening half, outpacing the Scarlet Knights’ 22.2 percent shooting in those first 20 minutes. USC was also dominating the boards, outrebounding their opponent 28-13. They opened the second half with a 12-0 run and sank five 3-pointers in the third quarter to build a substantial lead. Ultimately, USC finished the game shooting 40.3 percent overall and outrebounded Rutgers 56-28. The Scarlet Knights concluded at 28 percent shooting and committed 27 turnovers that resulted in 38 points for USC. Watkins led with a game-high 23 points and a career-best 14 rebounds for her second double-double of the season, supported by freshman Kennedy Smith who recorded a career-high of 19 points, alongside 14 points from Kiki Iriafen. Marshall achieved her 1,000th

career rebounds in the statistics by halftime and concluded the evening with a total of 10 rebounds for the Trojans. Rutgers gained 14 points from JoJo Lacey and a double-double from Destiny Adams, who contributed 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Scarlet Knights.

NOTABLE:

– USC’s 14-1 commencement to the season marks its finest since the 1993-94 season.

– This victory grants USC its inaugural 4-0 conference start since the 2012-13 season.

– Achieving her sixth rebound in the first half, SR Rayah Marshall tallied her 1,000th career rebound.

– Marshall ascended to No. 24 all-time in career scoring at USC with nine points tonight (1,122 in total).

– SO JuJu Watkins (23 points) and GS Kiki Iriafen (14) have both netted double digits in every one of USC’s 15 games this season.

– With 23 points and a career-high of 14 rebounds, Watkins achieved her second double-double of the season and the 11th of her USC career.

– Watkins has now scored 20 or more points in 41 out of her 49 career games at USC.

– Having made three 3-pointers, Watkins has hit at least one three in USC’s last 10 games.

– With 19 points, FR Kennedy Smith established a new career high.

– Smith also achieved a career-high of six steals, having registered at least two steals in six of the eight matches played this season.

– FR Vivian Iwuchuckwu set new career highs with six points and five rebounds.

– Iriafen achieved a season-high in blocks with three.

– With one block, Marshall has recorded at least one block in the last 13 games.

– This marks the fourth game this season where the Trojans have secured a victory with a margin exceeding 50 points.

– The Trojans restricted the Scarlet Knights to a season-low of 42 points overall, just six points in the second quarter, and a season-low of 14 points in the first half (the fewest points scored in any quarter or half this season).

– This matches the 11th game this season in which USC has held an opponent to fewer than 60 points.

– USC equaled its season high of 56 rebounds, improving to 12-0 when outrebounding an opponent.

VICTORY AT UCONN        

USC faced a significant test in Hartford, Conn., fending off a late surge from No. 4 host UConn to secure a tight 72-70 triumph over the Huskies — USC’s first victory over UConn in program lore. The Trojans had held a lead as substantial as 18 points early in the second half, only to see the Huskies rally in front of a crowd of 15,684 at the XL Center. UConn had taken its first lead of the game with a one-point edge with 4:25 remaining, and it was all tied at 67-67 with 2:25 left. Rayah Marshall made a crucial basket in the paint to push USC into a lead they would not surrender despite a late attempt at free throws from the Huskies with five seconds remaining. JuJu Watkins’ two shots from the line with 20 seconds remaining provided USC a 72-69 advantage, and only one of three late attempts from the Huskies would succeed in a tense conclusion to this top-10 matchup in Connecticut. USC hit seven first-half 3-pointers and denied UConn a field goal for the last three minutes of the first half, building a 42-29 lead at the half. The Trojans shot 48.6 percent from the field overall until that point, while the Huskies were at a 35.5 percent rate, and USC led on the boards 22-19 by halftime. JuJu Watkins was the sole player in double digits during the first half, holding 15 points, while Kiki Iriafen collected nine rebounds at halftime. The narrative shifted in the second half as UConn improved to 43.5 percent overall, sinking four second-half 3-pointers. USC concluded at a shooting rate of 49.2 percent and made nine threes, finishing slightly ahead on the boards 33-32 by the final whistle. USC’s scoring was led by JuJu Watkins’ game-high 25 points, in addition to a double-double from Kiki Iriafen with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Iriafen also had a career-high of six assists. Returning from injury, USC freshman Kennedy Smith made a career-high three 3-pointers for the Trojans. UConn had two Huskies finish with 22 points each in Paige Bueckers and Sarah Strong, with Strong grabbing 13 rebounds.

NOTABLE:

– JuJu Watkins (25 points) and Kiki Iriafen (16) have now scored in double digits in all 12 USC games this season.

– After making three 3-pointers, Watkins has achieved at least one three in the last seven games.

– With her 16 points and team-high 11 rebounds, Iriafen recorded her fifth double-double in USC’s last six contests and the sixth overall as a Trojan.

– Iriafen also registered a career-high of six assists.

– Kennedy Smith achieved a career-high with three 3-pointers; she had missed the prior seven games after a surgical procedure.

– With two blocks, Rayah Marshall has recorded at least one block in the last 10 games.

– This was USC’s first triumph over a top-10 opponent this season, now standing at 1-1 in such contests after a loss to then-No. 6/5 Notre Dame on Nov. 23.

– USC is now 1-3 all-time against UConn in a series that commenced in the 2002-03 season.

JUJU AWARDED FIRST BIG TEN PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONOR            

JuJu Watkins is the first Trojan to be recognized as a Big Ten Women’s Basketball Player of the Week, receiving the accolade on Dec. 9 from USC’s new conference. Watkins had previously been selected for the Big Ten Weekly Honor Roll twice this season, but Dec. 9 was her inaugural selection as Player of the Week. Watkins averaged 30.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.5 blocks during USC’s two victories that week, where the Trojans triumphed over California Baptist 94-52 at Galen Center before commencing Big Ten play with their first true road game in a 66-53 win at Oregon. Against CBU, Watkins posted 40 points and broke USC’s program record for 3-pointers made in a game with nine threes connected. Her 9-of-11 shooting from beyond the arc set a new career high for Watkins, as she also recorded no turnovers in the win. Her 40-point performance was the second highest by any D1 player this season, making her the third Big Ten player in the last 25 years to score 40 points and land nine 3-pointers in a single match. This was Watkins’ 16th career game with 30 or more points. At Oregon, Watkins faced foul issues but still emerged with a game-high 21 points in just under 28 minutes played. This marked the 35th occurrence in her 43 career games played where Watkins has scored 20 or more points. Additionally, that week, Watkins earned two sets of national accolades, named the Associated Press National Player of the Week, as well as one of five USBWA Ann Meyers Drysdale Players of the Week. Watkins replicated that trio of accomplishments with Big Ten, AP, and USWBA recognition after USC’s victory at UConn on Dec. 21. On Dec. 31, Watkins received a third round of AP and USWBA accolades, and on Jan. 5, she secured her third Big Ten Player of the Week recognition.

OUI VICTORY IN PARIS            

USC maintained its composure at the free-throw line to secure a 68-66 victory over No. 20 Ole Miss, battling back from a four-point deficitpoints in the fourth with a determined effort to commence the 2024-25 season with a win in Paris, France. The Trojans participated in the first official college basketball game of the term, taking the stage at Adidas Arena in Paris during an Aflac Oui-Play Game. USC ramped up their offensive play in the second quarter and maintained a strong defensive stance, transforming a three-point deficit into an 11-point lead by halftime. The Trojans achieved a shooting percentage of 51.7 percent from the court in the initial 20 minutes of play, while limiting the Rebels to 17.9 percent, and USC led in rebounding 26-25 at the break. JuJu Watkins contributed 16 points to the scoreboard, and three USC freshmen were also represented in the scoring column during their Trojan debuts by halftime. Ole Miss managed to connect on some 3-pointers in the second half to narrow the Trojan advantage, but USC remained composed at the charity stripe in the fourth, converting all 14 free throws to counter the Rebels’ late charge. Ole Miss outscored USC 40-31 in the second half, yet the Trojans managed to unite for the victory. USC concluded the game with a shooting accuracy of 40 percent overall, going 23-of-29 from the free-throw line and outdoing Ole Miss in rebounding 48-43. The Rebels finished at 29.7 percent from the floor, despite a 30-percent performance (7-of-23) from three-point range. The Trojans were led by double-doubles from Kiki Iriafen and Watkins. Iriafen collected a game-high 13 boards to complement her 22 points, while Watkins registered a game-high 27 points along with 10 rebounds. USC freshman Kennedy Smith also reached double digits in her Trojan debut, contributing 12 points. Ole Miss was spearheaded by Kristen Deans’ 19 points and Madison Scott’s 14 points.

NOTABLE:

– Three USC freshmen made their first appearances: Kennedy Smith (starter), Kayleigh Heckel and Avery Howell.

– Kiki Iriafen and JuJu Watkins both achieved double-doubles for USC, marking the first instance since 2010 that two Trojans logged double-doubles in a USC season premiere.

– The matchup against No. 20 Ole Miss signified the eighth occasion USC has contended with a ranked opponent in a season opener in the program’s annals.

– This is only the second time in program history that USC has encountered a ranked rival in consecutive season openers — The previous season, USC initiated with a victory over No. 7 Ohio State; USC defeated Old Dominion in the 1986-87 season opener and was bested by Texas in the 1987-88 season opener).

– This is the first occasion that USC has triumphed over a ranked adversary in consecutive season openers.

WATCH THIS      

Four Women of Troy are contenders for prestigious honors this season, with Kiki Iriafen, Rayah Marshall, Talia von Oelhoffen and JuJu Watkins all included in the 2024-25 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Women’s College Player of the Year Watch List presented by AXIA Time. This is the second selection for returning Trojans Marshall and Watkins, and the first for newcomers Iriafen and von Oelhoffen. 

    A 6-3 forward recognized as the 2024 Katrina McClain National Power Forward of the Year, Iriafen has joined the USC women’s basketball program as a graduate transfer from Stanford. A 2024 All-America Honorable Mention honoree following an exceptional junior season with the Cardinal, Iriafen consistently aims higher, with her initial Naismith Watch List selection arriving shortly after her first inclusion as an AP Preseason All-American. Iriafen was also recently named to the 20-player 2025 Katrina McClain Power Forward of the Year Watch List.

    Marshall, a 6-4 senior center/forward, embarks on her final season at USC with 996 career points and 35 double-doubles. Her second appearance on the Naismith Watch List follows her recognition on the All-Pac-12 Team as a sophomore and Honorable Mention as a junior. She was also honored on the NCAA Portland Region 3 All-Tournament Team for her contributions in leading USC to the Elite Eight for the first time in three decades. Marshall has likewise recently been named to the 20-player Lisa Leslie Center of the Year Watch List.

    An All-Pac-12 Team selection at Oregon State, von Oelhoffen assisted the Beavers in reaching the NCAA Elite Eight last year and now begins her inaugural season at USC while already being featured on the Naismith Watch List as well as the Nancy Lieberman National Point Guard of the Year Award Watch List. A 5-11 guard, von Oelhoffen averaged 5.0 assists per game last season, along with 10.7 points per game for the Beavers. She received a 2024 Pac-12 Defensive Honorable Mention and All-Pac-12 Team honors. Oelhoffen has also been recently selected for the 20-player Nancy Lieberman Point Guard of the Year Watch List.

    A 6-2 guard, Watkins was awarded the National Freshman of the Year and ranked as the No. 2 scorer in the nation last season. She now enters her sophomore season with the Women of Troy, having already recorded at least 30 points in 14 games — a USC single-season record. Watkins was a unanimous selection for this year’s AP Preseason All-America list. Last year, she was a finalist for the Naismith Trophy and earned the title of Ann Meyers Drysdale National Shooting Guard of the Year. Watkins has also recently been placed on the 20-player Ann Meyers Drysdale Shooting Guard of the Year Watch List for 2024-25.

GOLDEN GIRLS    

Representing the United States, USC freshmen Kayleigh Heckel and Kennedy Smith — both McDonald’s All-Americans — teamed up to assist Team USA in securing gold at the 2024 FIBA U18 AmeriCup in Colombia, perpetuating the U.S. streak of championships at the event. The duo contributed a combined 31 points in the concluding game as the USA clinched its 11th consecutive gold with an 80-69 win over Canada. A 5-9 guard from Port Chester, N.Y., Heckel maintained an average of 12.8 points alongside 3.7 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game as Team USA went undefeated in AmeriCup play. A 6-1 guard from Chino, Calif., Smith led Team USA with 18 points in the gold-medal contest, including a key solo six-point scoring burst that helped establish a crucial late lead. She concluded the tournament with averages of 7.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game.

BRING ON THE BIG TEN        

Embarking on its inaugural season in the Big Ten Conference, USC received top accolades from its new league, being ranked No. 1 in the Preseason Rankings along with JuJu Watkins’ recognition as the Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year. Watkins additionally joins fellow Trojan Kiki Iriafen on the Preseason All-Big Ten Team. The Women of Troy have been positioned to lead the Big Ten in 2024-25, securing the No. 1 ranking ahead of No. 2 UCLA, No. 3 Ohio State, No. 4 Maryland, and No. 5 Indiana in both the coaches’ and media’s preseason polls. All five teams participated in the NCAA Tournament last season, with USC achieving the deepest advancement of the group with its Elite Eight appearance. UCLA and Indiana reached the 2024 Sweet Sixteen, while Ohio State made it to the Second Round, and Maryland competed in the First Round. The Women of Troy are slated to host a competitive array of Big Ten teams at Galen Center and will face the remaining opponents on the road. USC will also engage in a home-and-away series against local rival UCLA. The Trojans will encounter two programs — Illinois and Wisconsin — for the first time, while other matchups will feature the inaugural visits to Galen Center for several Big Ten rivals as well as the Trojans’ premier trips to various road venues. 

NOTABLE:

– As USC joins the Big Ten, it possesses a 27-23 historical record against existing Big Ten teams (this record does not involve new members Oregon, UCLA, and Washington)

– USC will encounter both Illinois and Wisconsin for the inaugural time in the program’s history.

– The 2024-25 encounters will include the first-ever appearances at Galen Center for Illinois, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Ohio State, and Penn State.

– USC will be competing in away games at Indiana, Iowa, Purdue, and Wisconsin for the first occasion.

WE GOT GOTTLIEB

As she begins her fourth season leading a program on the ascent, USC women’s basketball head coach Lindsay Gottlieb secured a contract extension through the 2029-30 season. In the previous season, Gottlieb directed her Women of Troy to a remarkable journey to the 2024 NCAA Elite Eight. Recognized as a finalist for the Werner Ladder National Coach of the Year award, Gottlieb steered USC to its second-ever Pac-12 Tournament title and to the program’s first No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament since 1986. By the conclusion of USC’s debut Elite Eight appearance in three decades, Gottlieb’s squad had recorded a 29-6 overall record — the most victories since Linda Sharp’s 1985-86 team. Rated No. 3 nationally prior to the 2024 NCAA Tournament, the Trojans reached their highest national ranking since holding the No. 3 position in the concluding AP poll of 1986. USC had been forecasted to finish sixth in the Pac-12 but instead concluded second. With its top-ever Pac-12 Tournament seed at No. 2, the Trojans proceeded to defeat Arizona, UCLA, and Stanford to seize the 2024 Pac-12 championship.

WNBA DRAFT DOUBLE

For the second consecutive year, USC had multiple Trojans chosen in the WNBA Draft, with 2024 selections going to grad students McKenzie Forbes (Los Angeles Sparks) and Kaitlyn Davis (New York Liberty). Following significant leadership roles in USC’s journey to the NCAA Elite Eight, Forbes and Davis were picked in the third round (April 15) as the 28th and 35th overall selections, respectively. Both transferred to USC from the Ivy League in 2023, further cementing their positions in Trojan history, bringing the total to 18 players selected for the WNBA from USC. Two Women of Troy — Cynthia Cooper and Lisa Leslie — were the inaugural elite choices for the WNBA in 1997. Furthermore, 14 other Trojans have been drafted out of USC, including two selections in 2023 (Kadi Sissoko and Okako Adika) and now two additional in 2024 with the selections of Forbes and Davis. This marks the fourth occasion that USC has had two players chosen in a WNBA Draft. In 2012, USC had Jacki Gemelos and Briana Gilbreath selected, while in 1997, Pam McGee and Tina Thompson were drafted from USC.

LAST SEASON

In 2023-24, USC achieved the program’s first No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament since 1986 and embarked on a historic journey to the 2024 NCAA Elite Eight. Positioned No. 3 nationally before the 2024 NCAA Tournament, the Trojans attained their highest national ranking since being No. 3 in the final AP poll of 1986. Projected to finish sixth in the Pac-12 Conference, USC ultimately claimed second place. With its top-ever Pac-12 Tournament seed at No. 2, the Trojans triumphed over Arizona, UCLA, and Stanford to capture the 2024 Pac-12 championship. The Trojans of 2023-24 concluded the season with a 29-6 overall record, reflecting the most victories by the program since 1985-86. Highlights of USC’s 2023-24 season included a packed crowd at Galen Center witnessing the Trojans defeat rival UCLA, McKenzie Forbes acknowledged as the Pac-12 Tournament Most Outstanding Player, a record-setting 51-point performance by freshman JuJu Watkins in USC’s first victory at Stanford since 2002-03, and the honor of hosting — and winning — the NCAA First and Second Rounds to secure a spot in the Sweet 16.

SIGNED!

USC is poised to receive another influx of elite talent with the signing of Jazzy Davidson to join USC as a freshman for 2025-26. She is currently ranked as the No. 3 recruit in the nation and has participated in Team USA’s U18 National Teams. Hailing from Clackamas, Ore., Davidson was a semifinalist for the 2023-24 Naismith Trophy High School Girls Basketball Player of the Year during her junior year at Clackamas High. Standing at 6-foot-1, this left-handed guard/forward was also named the 2022-23 Oregon Girls Basketball Player of the Year as a sophomore, leading Clackamas to victory in the 2023 Class 6A state championship. This previous summer, she was part of the United States’ gold-medal U18 team at the 2024 FIBA U18 AmeriCup alongside two current USC freshmen — Kayleigh Heckel and Kennedy Smith. Davidson averaged 11.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and a team-leading 2.7 steals per game during the event, making history by becoming the first U18 player to achieve a flawless 100 percent shooting from the field with five or more attempts in a game since 2004 during her performance for Team USA against Mexico. In August, Davidson was also appointed to the 2024 USA 3×3 Women’s U18 National Team, once again securing gold with Team USA at the 2024 FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup. •

THE PLACE TO BE.

The University of Southern California stands as the unparalleled, unmatched, and undisputed prime destination for student-athletes. USC is the home to 136 national team championships as well as being one of the top-rated private research institutions globally. Located in the core of the flourishing Los Angeles metropolitan area, it is situated in one of the most diverse and visible media markets worldwide. USC’s campus is a short drive from the stunning beaches of Southern California, the grand mountain range of the Sierra Nevada, the expansive beauty of the Redwood and Sequoia national parks, and the intriguing Mojave Desert. The student-athlete experience at USC is genuinely unparalleled.