Community.
That was the theme for the Trojans’ first game back in Los Angeles following their second East Coast trip of the season. A community that has been ravaged by wildfires, but a community of unwavering support nonetheless.
“We 100% recognize that sports and athletics are not bigger than those real world things and at the same time, I think what is incredibly important at this time is community,” head coach Lindsay Gottlieb said. “Even people who have lost a ton of things have said that the feeling of community is what they want and so for our staff and everyone to go forward with this game, we appreciate people coming out.”
With all of that in mind, it’s powerful that sophomore guard JuJu Watkins and graduate forward Kiki Iriafen, two L.A. natives, led the charge in a 95-73 victory over the Penn State Lady Lions, extending the Trojan winning streak to 12 games. In a game that also saw numerous former Trojan greats like Cheryl Miller and Cherie Nelson in the building, it was one of the most special settings all season.
With questions of shooting efficiency looming throughout the year, the Trojans gave an emphatic answer by jumping out to a 27-18 lead after the opening period off 56% shooting from the field and 50% from beyond the arc. Watkins and Iriafen especially made their presence felt by combining for 17 first-quarter points.
The Lady Lions refused to back down, however, scoring six unanswered points in less than a minute during the second quarter to cut USC’s lead to six. But Watkins continued to score, and score and score again. Punctuating a perfect shooting half, Watkins completed a three-point play that capped off an 18-0 Trojan run to close out the second quarter.
“That run in the second quarter was impressive, and we know we have the ability to do that,” Gottlieb said. “Then it’s just really understanding our power to then continue to do that possession after possession.”
While Penn State made attempts to get back into the game, it was the Trojan defense that ensured the lead never changed hands. Even though USC’s shooting cooled off in the second half, stifling defense forced 21 turnovers and remained an anchor that kept the Lady Lions from making significant cuts into the lead. With greater transition opportunities, the Trojans turned those takeaways into 27 points.
“I think the team is really buying into being disruptive and playing in transition on our end, but also, if we can keep from turning it over, I think we believe in our offense and our first and second attempts at the rim,” Gottlieb said.
Watkins and Iriafen kept the scoring pace up into the second half, finishing with 35 and 28 points, respectively. While also collecting four assists, Iriafen credited the team as part of the great energy on display.
“Everybody’s really bought in, all in, and that gets us pumped up as well,” Iriafen said. “I wouldn’t say it’s one or two players that are clicking on all cylinders. I think it’s a group effort and we all just build off of each other.”
But Watkins was on a different level. After making her first nine shots, she finished with just two misses en route to her 18th 30-point game in a Trojan uniform. Amid everything going on and as a face of L.A. basketball, Watkins’ near perfect performance was nothing short of iconic.
“I think our goal was to put on a show and entertain people for a couple hours.” Watkins said. “I kind of took pride in that as well in my performance.”
With Wednesday’s matchup against Northwestern postponed, the Trojans’ next game will be back on the road against Indiana on Sunday, January 19. Until then, and well after this road trip, the Trojans will try and continue to do their part for the community.
“We’re going to do everything we can to help out from a philanthropy aspect,” Watkins said. “We’re just trying to…spread positivity in the community right now through what we do.”