Watkins scores 31 to lead No. 2 USC past Indiana 84-79 and into the Big Ten Tournament semifinals

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Indiana guard Lexus Bargesser (1) defends Southern California guard JuJu Watkins (12) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Southern California guard JuJu Watkins (12) shoots over Indiana forward Lilly Meister (52) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Indiana guard Shay Ciezki (10) and Southern California guard JuJu Watkins (12) chase down a loose ball in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Southern California guard JuJu Watkins (12) drives on Indiana guard Sydney Parrish (33) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Southern California guard Kennedy Smith (11) is trapped between Indiana guard Shay Ciezki, left, and guard Yarden Garzon (12) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Southern California forward Kiki Iriafen (44) shoots over Indiana forward Karoline Striplin (11) and guard Chloe Moore-McNeil (22) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Southern California forward Kiki Iriafen (44) fights for a rebound with Indiana guard Sydney Parrish (33) and forward Karoline Striplin (11) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Southern California center Clarice Akunwafo (34) shoots over Indiana forward Karoline Striplin (11) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Southern California forward Kiki Iriafen (44) shoots over Indiana forward Karoline Striplin (11) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Indiana guard Chloe Moore-McNeil (22) holds off Southern California guard JuJu Watkins (12) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

By MICHAEL MAROT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — JuJu Watkins scored 31 points, Kiki Iriafen added 21 and each grabbed 10 rebounds in their first Big Ten Tournament games, leading No. 2 Southern California to an 84-79 victory over Indiana on Friday in Indianapolis.

The Trojans (27-2) have now won all three games they’ve played in Indiana this season and will take an eight-game winning streak into Saturday’s semifinal against fifth-seeded Michigan (22-9).

Yarden Garzon had 23 points to lead the Hoosiers (19-12), making five of her six baskets from 3-point range. She also had eight rebounds and Shay Ciezki added 15 points as Indiana’s two-game winning streak ended.

It looked as if the Trojans may pull away when they used a 13-4 run to take a 55-48 lead late in the third quarter, but Indiana charged back within 59-57 entering the fourth. USC pulled away again with a 9-3 spurt to make it 71-63 with 5:15 to play.

The Hoosiers never recovered.

Takeaways

Indiana: The Hoosiers probably locked up an NCAA Tournament bid with Thursday’s win over Oregon. If there still were doubts, Friday’s game answered those. Indiana executed coach Teri Moren’s game plan almost to perfection and the result was closer than expected.

USC: The Trojans certainly didn’t take the easy route. They looked stale offensively, at times, struggled with fouls on defense and allowed the Hoosiers to hang around most of the game. The bottom line, though: USC survived and advanced.

Key moment

After Indiana cut the deficit to 71-68 late in the fourth, USC answered with back-to-back 3s from Talia von Oelhoffen and Watkins to take its largest lead of the game.

Key stat

Indiana made 24 of 25 free throws to stay close.

Up next

Indiana takes more than a week off before learning its postseason fate. The Trojans face the Wolverines, a 98-71 winner over No. 15 Maryland, in Saturday’s first semifinal.

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