LOS ANGELES – The USC Trojans advanced to the Sweet Sixteen after defeating the Mississippi State Bulldogs with a score of 96-59. Unfortunately, Juju Watkins left the game in the first quarter due to a torn ACL, which ended her season immediately. This injury left 7,808 fans at the Galen Center feeling devastated on Monday night.
BREAKING: USC’s JuJu Watkins has suffered a torn ACL in her right knee. She will undergo surgery.
— Fredo Cervantes (@FredoCervantes) March 25, 2025
Developing story now for @SportingTrib
Although the Trojans advanced, their hopes of winning a National Championship faded after Watkins' injury. Five minutes into the game, Watkins was attacking the basket when she fell to the ground in pain, holding her right knee.
JuJu Watkins was carried off the court and taken to the locker room after suffering an injury on this play. pic.twitter.com/zFgm8PkVnu
— ESPN (@espn) March 25, 2025
Watkins is the heart and soul of the USC Trojans and the city of Los Angeles, where she grew up while attending Sierra Canyon High School. Her evolution in the game has taken women’s basketball to a whole new level, and her absence could significantly impact the USC program in the future.
The Trojans started the game with a 9-0 run, igniting excitement in the Galen Center until one of their players fell to the floor, clutching her knee. Watkins remained on the floor for several minutes while trainers attended to her and ultimately helped her off the court. She was then wheeled out of the Galen Center to be taken to a Keck Medicine facility, as there is no MRI machine available at the Galen Center.
BREAKING: JuJu Watkins is currently being evaluated by the staff at USC Keck Medicine and will NOT return in tonight's NCAA Second Round game.@SportingTrib
— Fredo Cervantes (@FredoCervantes) March 25, 2025
The USC staff was uneasy at the beginning of the game, unsure of the severity of an injury that had occurred. Throughout the game, the crowd voiced their displeasure by booing the Bulldogs every time they touched the ball. The Trojans took advantage of the crowd’s energy, which played a significant role in helping them advance to the Sweet Sixteen for the second consecutive year—a feat they hadn't accomplished in over 30 years.
Kiki Iriafen took control after Watkins exited the game, scoring a season-high 36 points and grabbing nine rebounds while shooting 16 of 22 from the field in 31 minutes of action.
The Trojans will be counting on Iriafen more as Watkins may be out for the remainder of the tournament. With Watkins absent, Avery Howell stepped up in the scoring role, contributing 18 points and six assists while shooting 50% from the field. Howell electrified the Galen Center crowd with her impressive three-point shooting, hitting 4 out of 9 attempts.
Kayleigh Heckel showcased an impressive spin move, scoring 13 points and providing six assists in just 20 minutes of play. She energized the Trojans, helping them regain momentum after Watkins’ injury deflated the atmosphere at the Galen Center.
Rayah Marshall wrapped up her time as a Trojan in her final game at the Galen Center, where she scored 12 points, grabbed nine rebounds, provided three assists, and recorded four blocks. As the defensive anchor, she dominated the paint, helping the Trojans limit the Bulldogs to just 28 points in that area while USC scored 46. The Bulldogs also committed 20 turnovers, which resulted in 27 points for the Trojans from those mistakes. USC led by as much as 46 points and never gave the Bulldogs a chance in this game.
The Trojans are set to face Kansas State in the Sweet Sixteen on Saturday in Spokane, Washington, at 8 PM Eastern Time / 5 PM Pacific Time on ESPN.
