BLOOMINGTON, IND. — JuJu Watkins scored 22 points and Rayah Marshall added 13 points and 10 rebounds to help the No. 4-ranked USC women’s basketball team overcome an 11-point deficit and hold on for a 73-66 victory over Indiana in a Big 10 Conference showdown 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 scored 13 points and Yarden Garzon had 10 points and nine rebounds as Indiana (12-6, 4-3) lost its second straight home game.
USC 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 when 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 USC 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.
More to come on this story.