US EditionSwanson: USC women going back to Elite Eight thanks to fearless freshmen
- On March 29, 2025, at Spokane Arena in Spokane, WA, the USC Trojans defeated the Kansas State Wildcats 67-61 in a Sweet 16 NCAA Tournament basketball game, advancing to the Elite Eight.
- The top-seeded Trojans, with a record of 31-3, faced the fifth-seeded Wildcats despite the season-ending knee injury to their star player, JuJu Watkins.
- USC's defense, which forced 16 turnovers and held Kansas State to 5-of-16 shooting from 3-point range, proved crucial, especially during a 3:11 scoreless stretch in the third quarter where USC outscored Kansas State 12-0.
- Freshmen Kennedy Smith and Avery Howell stepped up in Watkins' absence, combining for 37 points, with Smith scoring a team-high and season-high 19 points and Howell adding 18 points, replacing Watkins in the starting lineup.
- USC will face No. 2 UConn in the Elite Eight, with Howell stating they are taking Watkins' competitive nature onto the court, believing Watkins is supporting them and doing everything she can to give them good JuJu, as they aim for their first Final Four appearance since 1984.
88 Articles
88 Articles
Pasadena Star News
Swanson: USC women going back to Elite Eight thanks to fearless freshmen
USC forward Kiki Iriafen during the first half in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Kansas State, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane) The USC bench celebrates during the second half against Kansas State in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) Kansas State center Ayoka Lee (50) listens during a time out i…
The Independent Online
New Castle NewsSouthern Cal 67, Kansas St. 61
KANSAS ST. (28-8)
Rockdale Citizen & Newton Citizen
No. 1 USC survives rough shooting night, tops No. 5 Kansas St.
Avery Howell scored 12 of her 18 points in the second half and No. 1 seed Southern California endured the absence of star JuJu Watkins to advance to the Elite Eight with a 67-61 win over No. 5 seed Kansas…
Freshman duo of Kennedy Smith and Avery Howell lift USC into Elite Eight rematch with UConn
Playing without injured star JuJu Watkins, freshmen Kennedy Smith and Avery Howell power USC to a 67-61 victory over Kansas State in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament.
USC shakes off JuJu Watkins' absence and beats Kansas State 67-61 in March Madness - The Morning Sun
Kennedy Smith stepped into the void left by injured star JuJu Watkins, scoring 19 points to help Southern California hold off Kansas State 67-61 in the Sweet 16 of the women’s NCAA Tournament on …
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