The Galen Heart’s crowd palpably buzzed as JuJu Watkins collected the opening tip-off.
It was an indication of USC girls’s basketball coach Lindsay Gottlieb’s program-rebuilding success, turning the Trojans again right into a nationwide championship contender — an indication of rising assist and curiosity.
However No. 6 Notre Dame was capable of dissipate the buzz, stifling No. 3 USC in a 74-61 win.
The Trojans, who entered the sport averaging 98.3 factors per sport on their house court docket, albeit in opposition to unranked squads, shot simply 35.8% from the sector.
USC (4-1) dedicated eight turnovers within the first quarter — and 21 general — to fall into an early 10-point deficit. Notre Dame sophomore guard Hannah Hidalgo scored 24 factors. Watkins scored 10 factors within the third quarter on the way in which to ending with 24.
Watkins’ third-quarter surge introduced the Trojans inside three factors, however Notre Dame capitalized on offensive rebounds from Cassandre Prosper and two three-pointers from Olivia Miles to stretch the Combating Irish’s result in 21 factors as followers trickled towards the exit.
USC guard JuJu Watkins shoots over Notre Dame guards Cassandre Prosper (8) and Sonia Citron (11) in the course of the first half Saturday.
(Eric Thayer / Related Press)
USC freshman guard Kennedy Smith, who averaged 10.3 factors as a starter, didn’t play after present process surgical procedure for an undisclosed motive.
Kayleigh Heckel changed Smith within the beginning lineup and made essentially the most of her alternative. Offering bursts of power by chasing balls out of bounds and bullying her means into the paint for rebounds, the 5-foot-9 freshman guard offered versatility not within the field rating. She completed with six factors and 4 rebounds.
USC will subsequent play Seton Corridor on the Ladies’s Acrisure Vacation Invitational in Palm Desert on Wednesday. One other large nonconference matchup looms, with the Trojans enjoying at No. 2 Connecticut on Dec. 21. Notre Dame (5-0) faces Texas Christian subsequent on Friday.
