No. 1 USC Trojans Defeat No. 16 UNC Greensboro In NCAA Tournament First Round

The No. 1 USC Trojans defeated the UNC Greensboro Spartans 71-25. JuJu Watkins and the Trojans had a rocky start but gained momentum in the second quarter. It was a defensive battle for both teams, but the Trojans ran away with the game.

USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) guards UCLA Bruins guard Londynn Jones (3) during the first half of the 2025 TIAA Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament final game on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. UCLA defeated USC 72-67. / Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The No. 1 USC Trojans women's basketball team defeated the UNC Greensboro Spartans 71-25. The Trojans had a rocky start to begin the game but gained their momentum in the second quarter. It was a defensive battle for both teams, but the Trojans ran away with the win.

USC Trojans star guard JuJu Watkins dealt with two injuries throughout the game. Watkins began with an injury on her hand, but managed to play through it, taking off the wrap that was put on it in the second half. Watkins then appeared to hurt her ankle in the third quarter. Despite the score, Watkins did return to the court in the fourth quarter, which is good news for the Trojans.

The USC Trojans will face the winner of California vs. Mississippi State on March 24 at Galen Center in Los Angeles, California.

Fourth Quarter:

End of the Game: The USC Trojans win the game, 71-25.

1:21: Talia von Oelhoffen checks out of the game for USC. Trojans bring off their players on the bench to give them minutes while resting starters. The USC Trojans lead the game, 68-25.

2:55: UNC Greensboro struggles with rebounding as USC controls the game. The USC Trojans lead the game, 61-24.

5:23: JuJu Watkins remains in the game scoring another two points for USC. Kiki Iriafen continues to make plays for USC and the Trojans defense holds off UNC Greensboro. USC calls a timeout as Malia Samuels heads to the locker room. The USC Trojans lead the game, 61-24.

8:15: JuJu Watkins is back on the court despite her ankle injury. Kiki Iriafen continues her momentum scoring two points for the Trojans. The USC Trojans lead the game, 57-19.

Third Quarter:

End of the third quarter: With JuJu Watkins on the bench, USC’s freshmen are stepping up on the court. USC's defense allowed just five points in the third quarter. The USC Trojans lead the game, 53-16.

Injury Update: JuJu Watkins is seen back on the bench after meeting with trainers for an apparent ankle injury. The USC Trojans lead the game, 47-16.

3:03: Watkins makes a big three-point shot for USC reaching 20 points for the day.  Despite USC’s momentum, UNC Greensboro continues to play well on defense. USC runs off the floor after appearing to hurt her ankle. The USC Trojans lead the game, 45-15.

4:42: The USC Trojans make back-to-back plays causing UNC Greensboro to take a timeout. The USC Trojans lead the game, 40-15.

5:16: Rayah Marshall extends USC’s lead with two points. KiKi Iriafen gets more aggressive creating more opportunities for USC. Nya Smith earns her first points with a three-pointer for UNC Greensboro. The USC Trojans lead the game, 36-14.

8:45: Kiki Iriafen is the first on the board in the second half. Watkins is fouled, hitting the ground hard but gets right back up. The USC Trojans lead the game, 32-11.

Second Quarter:

End of the second quarter: UNC Greensboro’s Makiah Asidanya snaps the drought making a free throw for the Spartans. The USC Trojans lead at the half, 28-11.

:12.6: The USC defense continues to hold off UNC Greensboro. Avery Howell extends USC's lead while being fouled. The USC Trojans lead, 28-10.

1:36: Kiki Iriafen scores her first points of the game. The Trojans are on a 13-0 run. The USC Trojans lead, 25-10.

3:40: The USC Trojans begin getting aggressive putting pressure on UNC Greensboro. JuJu Watkins is called for her first personal foul. Kayleigh Heckel earns a big steal for USC extending the lead. Watkins quickly with her second foul. The USC Trojans lead, 23-10.

5:07: USC is able to take advantage of free throws to extend their lead. JuJu Watkins and the Trojans begin to gain momentum forcing UNC Greensboro to call a time out. The USC Trojans lead, 20-10.

6:05: USC’s first points of the second quarter come from Talia von Oelhoffen. USC is up to six turnovers early in the game. JuJu Watkins is seen holding her hand in pain. The USC Trojans lead, 15-10.

8:19: Rayah Marshall with a big defensive stop for USC. Talia von Oelhoffen fouls Khalis Cain. The USC Trojans lead, 12-10.

First Quarter:

End of the First Quarter JuJu Watkins appears to be grabbing her hand, a possible injury to watch, but she remains in the game. Watkins ends a scoring drought for the Trojans. The USC Trojans lead, 12-8.

2:34: Watkins with a jumper. Center Clarice Akunwafo fouls Khalis Cain, the first foul of the night for USC. The USC Trojans lead, 10-6.

4:45: USC’s Talia von Oelhoffen scores a three-pointer. UNC Greensboro gets on the board with a three-point shot by Jayde Gamble. The USC Trojans lead the game 8-5.

6:32: UNC Greensboro’s Khalis Cain is playing strong defense. JuJu Watkins scores her first points of the tournament to extend USC’s lead. Forward Kiki Iriafen is called for traveling, the second turnover of the day for USC. The USC Trojans lead the game 5-0.

8:45: USC center Rayah Marshall is the first on the board, also being fouled. USC Trojans lead the game 3-0.

USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) guards UCLA Bruins guard Londynn Jones (3) during the first half of the 2025 TIAA Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament final game on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. UCLA defeated USC 72-67. / Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Pre-Game:

Betting Odds:

The USC Trojans are 33.5-point favorites on Fanduel Sportsbook against the UNC Greensboro Spartans. The total points are 129.5. 

Preview:

The Trojans had a strong season and earned the No. 1 seed, but they were named the fourth No. 1 seed overall. After the bracket was released, USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb voiced her frustration over the seeding.

“I never thought I’d be a one seed and feel disrespected, but I thought the committee just, I thought there would be very little chance we would be the number four overall number one,” Gottlieb said.“This was not on my bingo card to be a little bit, you know frustrated after being a one seed and it’s not, you know, an arrogance of any kind.”

Gottlieb knows that despite the frustration, the team must shift their focus towards the Spartans and take it one game at a time. 

“I think there’s a lot of really good teams and you’ve got to play the first game in front of you and earn your way from there and that’s what we’ll do,” Gottlieb said.

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The USC Trojans have averaged 81.5 points per game this season, led by star guard JuJu Watkins with 24.6 points. Forward Kiki Iriafen is averaging 18.2 points per game. Watkins and Iriafen have become a dynamic duo this season.

Watkins also leads the team with 3.5 assists and 2.2 steals, and Iriafen leads the team, averaging 8.3 rebounds. USC center Rayah Marshall is one of the many dominant players on the team, averaging 1.9 blocks. USC has a talented team and is difficult to stop.

The Trojans went 14-1 while playing at Galen Center this season. Between the championship loss and their frustration over their seeding, the Women of Troy are entering the tournament with a chip on their shoulder.

USC Trojans guard Kennedy Smith (11), center Rayah Marshall (13) and guard Talia von Oelhoffen (55) react to a foul during the second half of the 2025 TIAA Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament final game against the UCLA Bruins on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. UCLA defeated USC 72-67. / Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The UNC Greensboro Spartans are 25-6, 13-1 in Southern Conference play. The Spartans are coming off an overtime win against the Chattanooga Mocs, 64-57 in the Southern Conference Championship game. The team went 7-5 in away games this season as they head into a hostile Galen Center.

The Spartans are averaging 61.0 points per game, led by guard Caia Elisaldez, who is averaging 13.9 points per game. Forward Gianna Corbitt is not far behind, averaging 10.6 points per game. Elisaldez also leads the team, averaging 4.7 assists, and Corbitt leads, averaging 7.2 rebounds.

The other names for the Spartans to watch for are guard Sigrun Olafsdottir, who is averaging 2.4 steals, and forward Karsen Murphy, who is leading the Spartans with 0.9 blocks. The Spartans have had a big season but will be facing a tough USC team.

If USC defeats UNC Greensboro, the Trojans will play the winner of California vs. Mississippi State.

• Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. 
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