JuJu Watkins scored 21 points before fouling out in the final moments, and No. 4 Southern California suffered its first loss to No. 8 Maryland, 79-74, on Wednesday night.
Shan’ann Sellers scored 26 points for Maryland, but the Terrapins (14-1, 4-1 Big Ten) led by seven points in the fourth quarter before being held scoreless in the final half.
No. 4 USC Trojans vs. No. 8 Maryland Terrapins Highlights | FOX College Women’s Hoops
Kiki Iliafen’s 3-point play with 1:28 left gave USC a 75-72 lead. Raya Marshall then blocked Sellers’ jumper.
Watkins fouled out on an offensive foul with 31 seconds left, but Maryland’s Saylor Poffenbarger missed a 3-pointer and Avery Howell made two free throws to cut the Trojans’ lead to five points. Spread it out.
USC (15-1, 5-0) is new to the Big Ten, and this will be the first meeting between the two teams since 1995.
Iriafen finished with 21 points. For Maryland, Christina Dulce had 15 points and 12 rebounds. Kaylen Smickle scored 16 points for the Terps, who made 6-of-21 shots.
takeout
USC: It wasn’t the best night for Watkins, who went 7-of-19 from the field with eight turnovers, but the Trojans showed they can tighten up defensively and got plenty of points from Iliafen and others. Ta.
Maryland: Sellers was in attack mode for much of the night, but the Terps shot just 36.5 percent from the field and couldn’t score when they needed to late.
important moment
After Maryland took a 68-61 lead, Kennedy Smith scored seven straight points for USC, tying it at 3.
Main status
Maryland made 2 of 14 3-point shots.
to the next
Maryland will play Wisconsin on Saturday. The University of Southern California returns home to face Penn State on Sunday.
Reported by Associated Press.
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