USC delivered a statement victory last Sunday, dismantling No. 8 Ohio State 84-63 in a dominant performance that showcased the depth and resilience of the Trojans. While USC’s star sophomore JuJu Watkins struggled to find her rhythm offensively, other players stepped up in a big way, proving the Trojans are much more than a one-player show.
One of the brightest standouts was freshman Kennedy Smith, from Etiwanda high school, who was lauded by head coach Lindsay Gottlieb as a “special player.” Smith’s impact was felt on both ends of the floor as she finished with a stellar stat line of 13 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists. She also played a team high of 36.55 minutes.
“Coming in as a freshman, I haven’t had a better instinctive, smart, talented defender,” Gottlieb said during the postgame press conference. “She’s a versatile nightmare. I think we’re beginning to see what she’s capable of, and nationally, it’s going to continue to be more known. She’s a winning player; she’s incredibly special.”
The Trojans knew the significance of this win, both for their standing in the Big 10 conference and their national reputation. Rising to the challenge, Kiki Iriafen and Smith led the charge against a talented Ohio State team. Gottlieb praised the squad’s ability to adjust and respond when adversity strikes.
“This team makes a conscious effort to look inward and get better,” Gottlieb said. “When the chips are down, winning is most important to this team. We have a lot of high achievers, where everyone strives to perform well. This is a team that can win in multiple ways. When JuJu struggles, other players, even freshmen like Kennedy, are stepping up.
A key component of USC’s success has been their team-first mentality. Gottlieb emphasized that despite the challenge of balancing a 15-player roster, the coaching staff is working to ensure that every player is put in the best position to succeed.
Next up for USC is their biggest test yet-an undefeated UCLA squad ranked No. 1 in the country. The much-anticipated rivalry matchup has generated immense excitement in Los Angeles, with the Galen Center on USC’s campus selling out weeks in advance.
Iriafen spoke about the significance of playing in such a high-energy atmosphere of 8,892 fans. “It’s a blessing to play here and to see the amount of support we get,” Iriafen said. “Even when we’re playing away, we still feel the love from our fans. These are the atmospheres we like to play in. We’re excited for a packed house against UCLA.”
With USC ranked No. 7 and UCLA at the top of the national rankings, the stage is set for an epic showdown. The Trojans have already proven they can compete with the best-now, they’ll look to take down the nation’s top team and cement their place among the elite teams in the nation.