It was Watkins’ seventh sport scoring 30-plus factors this season and the Trojans’ eighth consecutive win as they proceed to construct momentum for a deep postseason run.
Watkins obtained issues going early with a signature euro-step layup. She scored 16 factors within the first half, driving the lane aggressively for finger rolls, initiating contact to get to the free-throw line, the place she shot 6-for-6. She added two pull-up mid-range soar pictures as USC took a four-point lead into the break.
Indiana captured a 44-43 lead early within the second half, however Watkins answered with a pair of off-balanced floaters that will be awkward for nearly every other participant. The second was an and-one that put USC again up 53-48.
Indiana once more reduce the lead again down to 2 by the tip of the third quarter. Watkins scored seven factors within the closing body, together with a 3-pointer with 2:42 remaining that prolonged the Trojans’ result in 77-68, its greatest of the sport. Watkins performed all however one minute of Friday’s sport. She had three steals and 10 rebounds for her seventh double-double of the season.
USC ahead Kiki Iriafen added 21 and grabbed 10 rebounds. Avery Howell had 10 factors, pulling down a pair of 3s. Friday marked No. 2 USC’s first sport within the Large Ten Event after profitable the convention’s regular-season crown. They achieved that due to a pair of wins over No. 4 UCLA and will must undergo the Bruins once more to win the Large Ten Event.
The Trojans (27-2 general, 17-1 Large Ten) will play fifth-seeded Michigan (22-9, 11-7) within the semifinals on Saturday.
Yarden Garzon had 23 factors to steer the Hoosiers (19-12), making 5 of her six baskets from 3-point vary. She additionally had eight rebounds and Shay Ciezki added 15 factors as Indiana’s two-game profitable streak ended.
It seemed as if the Trojans would possibly draw back after they used a 13-4 run to take a 55-48 lead late within the third quarter, however Indiana charged again inside 59-57 getting into the fourth. USC pulled away once more with a 9-3 spurt to make it 71-63 with 5:15 to play.
The Hoosiers by no means recovered.
Indiana Hoosiers vs. USC Trojans Large Ten Event Highlights | CBB on FOX
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