JuJu Watkins scored 21 points before fouling out in the final minute, and No. 4 Southern California held on to hand No. 8 Maryland its first loss, 79-74 on Wednesday night.
USC Maryland Basketball Southern California guard JuJu Watkins (12) takes a shot over Maryland guard Saylor Poffenbarger (6) and Maryland forward Christina Dalce (15) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.
USC Maryland Basketball Southern California center Clarice Akunwafo (34) swats the ball away from Maryland guard Mir McLean (10) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.
USC Maryland Basketball Maryland forward Christina Dalce (15) celebrates after hitting a shot during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Southern California, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.
USC Maryland Basketball Maryland guard Shyanne Sellers celebrates during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Southern California, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.
USC Maryland Basketball Maryland guard Kaylene Smikle (2) takes a shot during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Southern California, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.
USC Maryland Basketball Southern California center Rayah Marshall (13) blocks a shot attempt made by Maryland guard Shyanne Sellers (0) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.
USC Maryland Basketball Southern California guard JuJu Watkins (12) drives past Maryland guard Bri McDaniel (24) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — JuJu Watkins scored 21 points before fouling out in the final minute, and No. 4 Southern California held on to hand No. 8 Maryland its first loss, 79-74 on Wednesday night.
Shyanne Sellers scored 26 points for Maryland, but the Terrapins (14-1, 4-1 Big Ten) came up empty down the stretch after leading by seven in the fourth quarter.
A three-point play by Kiki Iriafen gave USC a 75-72 lead with 1:28 to play. Then Rayah Marshall blocked a jumper by Sellers.
Watkins fouled out on an offensive foul with 31 seconds left, but Maryland’s Saylor Poffenbarger missed from 3-point range, and Avery Howell pushed the Trojans’ lead to five with a couple free throws.
With USC (15-1, 5-0) having just joined the Big Ten, this was the first meeting between these teams since 1995.
Iriafen finished with 21 points. Christina Dalce had 15 points and 12 rebounds for Maryland. Kaylene Smikle scored 16 for the Terps but shot 6 of 21.
Takeaways
USC: It wasn’t the best night for Watkins, who shot 7 for 19 from the field and had eight turnovers, but the Trojans showed they could clamp down defensively and got enough scoring from Iriafen and others.
Maryland: Sellers was in attack mode for much of the night, but the Terps shot just 36.5% from the field and couldn’t score toward the end when they needed to.
Key moment
Maryland led 68-61 before Kennedy Smith reeled off seven straight points for USC, tying it with a 3.
Key stat
Maryland went 2 of 14 from 3-point range.
Up next
Maryland plays at Wisconsin on Saturday. USC returns home to face Penn State on Sunday.
