Sophomore guard JuJu Watkins and graduate forward Kiki Iriafen scored 22 points each and No. 4 Southern California defeated No. 25 Illinois 76-66 on Sunday to keep the top spot in the Big Ten.
The first-ever meeting in program history between the Trojans and The Fighting Illini (21-7, 11-6) came on USC’s Senior Day.
The Trojans (25-2, 15-1) had to secure their eighth win over a ranked team to avoid falling into a tie with No. 3 UCLA in the Big Ten.
Watkins was one of two USC starters players to finish with a game-high 22 points. She wasn’t especially effective on offense, shooting just 6-for-16 from the floor, but made up for it at the free throw line, sinking all 10 attempts. Watkins showed off her prowess on the defensive end as well with a game-high four blocks.
Iriafen also finished with 22 points and added five rebounds. She went 6-for-18 in the paint, and knocked down six of her eight attempts at the free throw line.
For the ninth time this season, Iriafen and Watkins both passed the 20-point mark.
Rayah Marshall celebrated her Senior Day by dominating all over the floor, recording her 39th double-double with 12 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and four steals. She helped the Trojans to a 14-1 finish at home in her last season in the Galen Center.
Marshall went nonstop in the third on a 6-0 USC run, hitting back-to-back buckets around a steal of her own. The Trojans followed Illinois’ next bucket with another six-point run and Iriafen nailed a jump shot in the final minute for USC to take a 57-47 lead heading into the final frame.
Head coach Lindsey Gottlieb touched on the importance of energy levels, particularly those of Iriafen and Marshall, in driving the team’s performance.
“A hallmark of great seniors is that other players really like them and feed off their energy,” Gottlieb said. “[Marshall] didn’t do anything out of character. This is just what we call ‘juicy Rayah’ — 12 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and four steals. She was really the catalyst for getting us going."
Coach Gottlieb also praised Iriafen for her growing confidence and offensive versatility.
“Kiki, over the last couple of weeks, has really hit her stride. She’s gained confidence, and her level of unguardability when she’s in her spots — whether that’s on the perimeter or in the post — has been impressive,” Gottlieb said.
In the opening frame, Illinois and USC were tied at 13 with five minutes to go. Watkins cut through the Illinois defense, pulling off her go-to impressive euro step en route to a stunning finish to put the Trojans back in the lead 14-13.
USC then went on a nine point run and built its largest lead of the half, going up 11. Illinois responded in the second quarter with a 10-3 run and trailed 40-36 at halftime.
The Trojans had a short scoring slump, missing their first seven shots of the third quarter. Illinois took advantage and pulled into a 40-40 tie. USC bounced back by outscoring Illinois 17-7 to take a 57-47 lead into the fourth. Marshall scored back-to-back baskets, Watkins had four straight points and Iriafen added five points in the span.
Kayleigh Heckel lit up the fuse for the Trojans in the fourth quarter, by swiping an early steal. She later hit a pivotal 3–pointer that gave USC a 66-52 lead with six minutes to go. The true freshman finished with five points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Fifth year guard Genesis Bryant led Illinois with 22 points. Fifth year forward Kendall Bostic logged 40 minutes once again as she finished with 18 points and 16 rebounds, scoring her 18th double-double of the season. She also dished out five assists and made two blocks.
USC turned up their momentum once again when fifth year senior guard Talia von Oelhoffen picked up a steal versus Bryant at the top of the key. Oelhoffen, cruised up the court then bounced a pass to Watkins inside the paint for the lay-in.
Illinois attempted to make a final push in the closing minutes, trailing by 18. They outscored the Trojans 11-2 and closed the USC lead to 72-63. Bryant and freshman forward Berry Wallace nailed back-to-back 3-pointers in the run. Illinois brough the margin to 74-66 with 1:05 on the clock. Watkins took another trip to the free-throw line in the final minute and Heckel closed out the contest with a steal to secure USC’s eighth ranked win of the season,76-66.
In her second straight start for Illinois, Wallace scored in double figures for the 10th time this season, hitting 14 points and playing a career-high 40 minutes.
USC went 16-for-18 from the stripe, and its defense forced 17 turnovers that led to 21 points for the Trojans.
Despite the win, Gottlieb acknowledged areas for improvement, especially against a tough Illinois team.
“We can still be better. Illinois is a good team, and at times, we played into their hands,” Gottlieb said. “But I’m really pleased to get this win for our seniors.”
Looking ahead, she emphasized the importance of maintaining focus with the postseason approaching.
“Now, every game moving forward is a championship-type game,” Gottlieb said. “The stakes get higher.”
USC concludes its regular season when the team visits crosstown rival and third-ranked UCLA on Saturday.