Fri Jan 31 05:40:00 UTC 2025: ## USC Women’s Basketball Edges Out Minnesota Despite Watkins’ Slump
**Los Angeles, CA** – USC Women’s basketball team secured their 15th consecutive victory Thursday night, defeating Minnesota 82-69, despite a rare off-night from star player JuJu Watkins. Watkins, known for her consistent scoring, had an unusually poor first half, going 0-for-10 from the field. While she recovered somewhat in the second half, finishing with 20 points, her overall shooting percentage remained low at 29%, a significant dip from her typical performance.
However, the Trojans’ depth shone through. Forward Kiki Iriafen stepped up, delivering a stellar performance with 23 points and 11 rebounds, including two early three-pointers – a significant development given her previous reluctance to shoot from long range. The team also benefited from strong contributions from freshmen Avery Howell (12 points) and Kennedy Smith (9 points), as USC hit 11 three-pointers in total.
Despite Minnesota’s persistent efforts to close the gap, a crucial three-pointer from Howell and a foul-drawn shot by Watkins in the fourth quarter sealed the victory for USC. The win marks the team’s first home victory in 18 days and underscores the team’s resilience even when its star player is struggling. The game also highlights the arrival of five-star recruit Alijah Arenas, representing a major recruiting coup for coach Lindsay Gottlieb.
First Piper 