LOS ANGELES — — Kiki Iriafen had 24 factors and 13 rebounds and No. 7 Southern California defeated eighth-ranked Ohio State 84-63 on Saturday evening when Trojans star JuJu Watkins struggled offensively.
It was a chilly capturing evening for Watkins, the Massive Ten’s main scorer who averages 24.2 factors. She missed her first 11 pictures earlier than scoring on a layup within the third quarter, drawing large cheers from the group. She was 5 for 21 from the ground (1 of 6 from 3-point vary) and completed with 17 factors and 10 rebounds.
The Trojans (21-2, 11-1 Massive Ten) missed their first seven pictures and had 5 turnovers within the recreation’s opening 5 minutes.
The Buckeyes (20-3, 9-3) had been led by Taylor Thierry, who scored 14 factors earlier than fouling out with 5:37 remaining. Cotie McMahon added 13 factors.
Takeaways
Ohio State: The Buckeyes acquired swept in LA, dropping to top-ranked UCLA by 13 factors. They led the Trojans by 5 to begin the sport and trailed by one within the second quarter solely to get outscored 13-6 to finish the primary half down 34-26.
USC: The Trojans want Watkins to regain her capturing contact with crosstown rival UCLA looming. In addition they should reduce down on turnovers. They dedicated 23 — second-worst of the season.
Key second
The Trojans pulled away within the third, closing on a 9-2 run to steer 59-45 going into the fourth. Watkins had 5 factors and Kayleigh Heckel added 4 within the spurt.
Key stat
Watkins was 0 for 8 from the ground within the first half when she made all 4 of her free throws. Against Minnesota a week ago, she was 0 for 10 within the first half and completed with 20 factors.
Up subsequent
Ohio State hosts Minnesota on Thursday. USC hosts No. 1 UCLA on Thursday in a sold-out recreation.
