No. 2 USC rallies vs. Michigan to reach Big Ten tournament final

Field Level Media|published: Sat 8th March, 17:23 2025

USC Trojans forward Kiki Iriafen (44) looks toward the basket for a shot against Michigan Wolverines guard Greta Kampschroeder (11) Saturday, March 8, 2025, in a semifinals game at the 2025 TIAA Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Unanimous first-team all-Big Ten forward Kiki Iriafen scored 25 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as No. 2 Southern California pulled away late for an 82-70 win over fifth-seeded Michigan in the first Big Ten tournament semifinal Saturday in Indianapolis.

JuJu Watkins scored 11 of her 20 points in the fourth quarter and added 11 rebounds as the top-seeded Trojans (28-2) rallied from their second halftime deficit this season to advance to Sunday's championship game versus the winner of the No. 4 UCLA vs. No.13 Ohio State semifinal.

Freshman Syla Swords paced the Wolverines (22-10) with 26 points and six rebounds. Fellow frosh Olivia Olson posted 13 points and nine rebounds while Jordan Hobbs added 12 points.

Michigan had chances to pull off its first win over a Top 2 team in program history. The Wolverines built a 27-18 first-half lead, owned a 46-39 lead midway through the third quarter and forged a 60-60 tie on Swords' pair of free throws with 6:29 left. But USC reeled off the next 14 points against a Wolverines squad playing their fourth game in 72 hours.

--Field Level Media

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