JuJu Watkins, No. 3 USC stave off No. 20 Ole Miss in Paris

Field Level Media|published: Mon 4th November, 14:47 2024

Southern California guard JuJu Watkins (12) with coach Lindsay Gottlieb during an NCAA women's tournament game against Kansas at Galen Center.

JuJu Watkins posted 27 points and 10 rebounds and No. 3 Southern California survived a second-half comeback by No. 20 Ole Miss, earning a 68-66 win on Monday in Paris, France.

USC made its last 17 free throws, the last two by Stanford transfer Kiki Iriafen with nine seconds left for the final margin.

Iriafen finished with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Watkins added five blocks, four assists, three steals and a whopping nine turnovers.

Ole Miss rallied after trailing 43-28 with 8:23 left in the third quarter, taking advantage of the Trojans' poor 3-point shooting (1 for 11) and turnover trouble (26). KK Deans scored 19 to lead the Rebels before fouling out on the play that sent Iriafen to the line for the decisive points.

Madison Scott added 14 points for Ole Miss. Kennedy Smith put up 12 points and seven boards for the Trojans.

--Field Level Media