Graduate forward Kiki Iriafen and freshman guard Kennedy Smith led the charge as USC powered past No. 8 Ohio State with an 84-63 victory Saturday night at Galen Center. Despite early struggles, including 23 turnovers and a rough shooting night, the Trojans (21-2, 11-1 Big Ten) put together a dominant second half to pull away from the Buckeyes (20-3, 9-3).
“Turnovers happen, mistakes happen—it’s all about how we respond,” Iriafen said postgame. “Ohio State is a strong team, so we had to make sure our defense held up, especially in transition.”
Iriafen and Smith were instrumental in the win, combining for 37 points, 26 rebounds, nine assists, three blocks, and a steal. Their defensive effort set the tone, with Head Coach Lindsay Gottlieb praising their impact.
“There’s so much to say about them,” Gottlieb said. “[Iriafen] takes on every challenge we throw at her, and [Smith]—she’s just special. Maybe people outside our team are surprised, but we’ve seen this coming.”
Iriafen, who had a slow start, found her rhythm in the second half. She exploited Ohio State’s smaller defenders in the post, scoring USC’s first six points of the third quarter and establishing dominance inside. Her ability to carry the offense was crucial on a night when sophomore star JuJu Watkins struggled.
Smith also had a standout performance, showcasing her versatility on both ends. She provided a key highlight in the fourth quarter, battling through a foul to convert a tough and-one play, igniting the crowd. She grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds, five of them on the offensive end.
“I just try to do what I can—whether that’s on offense or defense,” Smith said. “Being able to guard multiple positions and set the tone is important to me.”
USC’s rebounding effort was historic, outpacing Ohio State 62-30 on the boards. The Trojans’ 62 rebounds were their most in a single game since 1999, and the 32-rebound advantage was their largest since 1993.
“Our athleticism and versatility showed tonight,” Gottlieb said. “We controlled the boards, limited their second chances, and attacked the paint.”
Defensively, USC held Ohio State well below its season averages, limiting the Buckeyes—who typically score over 80 points per game on 45% shooting—to just 63 points on under 30% from the field.
Despite the win, Watkins’ shooting slump continued, as she hit just five of 21 attempts—her lowest shooting percentage of the season. Over her last six games, she has connected on only 30% of her shots. With a highly anticipated showdown against No. 1 UCLA (22-0, 10-0) looming, USC will need her to bounce back.
“At the end of the day, winning is what matters,” Gottlieb said. “We’ve got tough games ahead, and we need to keep elevating our play.”
USC will have a few days to regroup before taking on UCLA in a crucial crosstown matchup Thursday at 7 p.m. at Galen Center.
