USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb crossed her arms as she watched Nebraska storm forward by 5 factors within the second quarter. The Trojans’ New Yr’s Day matinee at Galen Middle wasn’t going based on plan.
She had watched the Cornhuskers trigger No. 1 UCLA early suits Sunday earlier than the Bruins swiftly received by 37 factors. Now Gottlieb’s group was making an attempt to resist related strain.
“We have to assert our will a little bit more, because all these teams are coming in here to get away and to try to get a win, not to roll over,” Gottlieb stated. “I’m not surprised they came in ready to play.”
Fortunately for her, No. 4 USC responded. After utilizing a 14-4 run to shut the primary half and take the lead, USC took management within the second half, driving a 26-point efficiency from sophomore star JuJu Watkins to defeat Nebraska 75-55 on Wednesday.
Kiki Iriafen added 14 factors, extending her double-digit scoring streak to all 14 video games. Watkins scored 9 factors within the third quarter, rising USC’s result in 59-45.
“We’re learning this conference, but it’s pretty clear that there’s a lot of NCAA tournament-quality teams,” Gottlieb stated of the Trojans’ Large Ten rivals. “We have to approach each game that way — since it’s all new to us — and I thought we responded really well at halftime, and we were a lot better defensively, particularly in the second half.”
A number of the Trojans’ finest defensive runs got here when senior heart Clarice Akunwafo and sophomore guard Malia Samuels had been on the ground. The bench duo contributed to holding the Cornhuskers (10-4, 1-2 Large Ten) to 4 factors over the ultimate 4:26 of the primary quarter and performed important minutes as USC (13-1, 3-0) prolonged its lead within the third quarter and outscored Nebraska by 9.
Akunwafo, senior ahead/heart Rayah Marshall and Iriafen held All-Large Ten heart Alexis Markowski to three-for-11 capturing and 7 factors, together with simply two within the first half.
Guard Logan Nissley led Nebraska with 14 factors.
“On the bench, I just watch Rayah and Kiki and try to talk to them,” Akunwafo stated. “I go out there and play my game, which is fun.”
Gottlieb pointed to Akunwafo’s protection within the inside, serving to the Trojans outscore the Cornhuskers within the submit 42-18.
“Clarice really changed the complexion of the game with her defensive energy,” Gottlieb stated. “Between Rayah and C together, when you have a top opposing post player, we feel like we can make their life more difficult than most teams can.”
Marshall emerged with one other do-it-all sport, ending with 9 rebounds and eight factors and defensively imposing her will, tallying three blocks and two steals.
USC received the turnover battle, forcing 18 turnovers and 10 steals in comparison with turning the ball over simply 11 occasions — under the Trojans’ common of 15.7 turnovers getting into Wednesday.
Since USC’s loss to No. 3 Notre Dame on Nov. 23, the Trojans have rattled off a nine-game successful streak. USC faces Rutgers and Maryland subsequent on its first multigame convention journey.
“We took it personal, and just building off that loss, I think we’ve been able to gain momentum, both offensively and defensively,” stated freshman guard Kennedy Smith, who tallied seven factors, three rebounds, two assists and two steals. “It’s bringing a connectedness for the team.”
