Kennedy Smith stepped into the void left by injured star JuJu Watkins, scoring 19 factors to assist Southern California maintain off Kansas State 67-61 within the Candy 16 of the ladies’s NCAA Match on Saturday.
The highest-seeded Trojans (31-3) have been thought of title contenders earlier than Watkins tore her proper ACL throughout a second-round victory over Mississippi State. Now they’re going to be underdogs in an Elite Eight rematch on Monday with Paige Bueckers and second-seeded UConn. The Huskies knocked the Trojans out of final yr’s March Insanity in Watkins’ first season.
Avery Howell, one other freshman, scored 18 factors for USC, which went on a 12-0 run throughout the third quarter to take a 46-39 lead, matching its largest benefit of the day.
Kansas State (28-8) stored pushing, although, and tied it at 51-all early within the fourth on a layup by Ayoka Lee. Rayah Marshall responded with two straight buckets for USC.
A layup by Serena Sundell received the Wildcats inside 60-59. Smith responded with a pair of free throws, and USC was stable sufficient on the foul line to shut it out.
Sundell scored 22 factors and Lee had 12 for the fifth-seeded Wildcats (28-8), who fell wanting this system’s second Elite Eight look and first since 1982. They beat Kentucky 80-79 in time beyond regulation to achieve their first Candy 16 since 2002.
Smith had 11 factors within the opening quarter because the Trojans constructed 19-9 lead.
The Wildcats pulled forward 19-16 after Sundell’s layup and free throw. USC answered with a pair of 3-pointers from Howell and Malia Samuels.
Sundell hit a jumper and two free throws down the stretch to assist Kansas State to a 30-28 benefit on the half.
Honoring JuJu
USC arrived at Spokane Area sporting Nike T-shirts emblazoned with Watkins’ face.
Gamers handed round a small Watkins bobblehead, full along with her trademark “JuJu Bun” coiffure, on the sidelines throughout the recreation.
A day earlier, coach Lindsay Gottlieb stated her crew was taking part in for its inured star: “I believe the prevailing feeling is that we are able to nonetheless do one thing collectively, and that is what JuJu needs us to do.”
Watkins hoped to steer USC to its first nationwide title because it gained again to again in 2002 and ’03.
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