JuJu Watkins and the No.1 USC Trojans roll past the No.16 UNCG Spartans 71-25

USC Trojans #12 JuJu Watkins (G) is in attack mode and going strong to the basket against several UNC Spartans defenders. Photo by Antoine Belote/TGSportstv1 March 22, 2025.

LOS ANGELES, CA - The No.1 USC Trojans, despite being idle for almost two weeks had no problem beating the No.16 UNC Greensboro Spartans 71-25, the lowest scoring mark in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament history.

JuJu Watkins scored 22 points, 8 rebounds, Kiki Iriafen with 13 points and 13 rebounds, Kayleigh Heckel with 8 points, Avery Howell 6 points, 8 rebounds, and Rayah Marshall 5 points, 6 rebounds and 7 block shots.

"Glad to get the first one out of the way," USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb said. "We were a little bit rusty on offense."

The defense for the Trojans smothered the Spartans players on offense in all four quarters allowing 7 of 54 shots from the floor 13.0 percent, and three-point range 4 of 18 for 22.2 percent.

"Our defense is something we really take pride in, so when things aren't going our way on one side of the floor we really try to make it up," said Watkins, who played under 30 minutes for the first time in 1 1/2 months.

UNC Greensboro Spartans #2 Tasia Gamble (G) is driving into the key for a reverse-layup. Photo by Antoine Belote/TGSportstv1 March 22, 2025.

Rayah Marshall got the Trojans off to a good start after being fouled on her made layup, and her free throw gave them a 3-0 lead to start the game.

JuJu Watkins got her first basket with a driving layup that gave USC a 4-0 lead. UNC trailed 8-5 with a layup by Khalis Cain. USC led at the end of the quarter 12-8.

USC would lead 23-10 in the second quarter after Kayleigh Heckel stole the basketball and went downcourt for a layup.

The Trojans would go into halftime leading 28-11. Watkins led USC in scoring with 11 points on 4 for 10 shooting, and the Spartans Cain with 5 points.

Kiki Iriafen, in the third quarter, scored on a put-back basket to give the Trojans a 30-11 lead. Watkins would score a layup to give the Trojans a 40-15 lead, forcing UNC to call a timeout with 4:42 left in the quarter.

Watkins, left alone on the right side of the court, would pull for a three-pointer to give USC a 43-15 lead. USC led 53-16 to end the third quarter.

The Trojans increased their lead to 57-19 in the fourth quarter with a layup by Iriafen. Iriafen would get fouled on her reverse layup to give the Trojans a 61-22 lead.

UNC Trailed 61-24 with a jump shot by Yacine N'Diaye. USC would go on a 10-3 run to end the game and a match-up in the second round on Monday Night against the No. 9 Mississippi State Bulldogs.