USC Trojans vs. Mississippi State: High Stakes in NCAA Tournament

Los Angeles, CA – The USC Trojans, ranked No. 1, face off against the No. 9 seed Mississippi State in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament second round tonight at 10 p.m. PST. Following an impressive 71-25 victory over UNC Greensboro, the Trojans are looking to maintain their momentum against an underdog Mississippi State team that upset No. 8 seed California in their first-round matchup.

The Trojans completely dominated their first game, restricting Greensboro to an alarming shooting percentage of 8.3 percent. Star guard JuJu Watkins led USC with 22 points, eight rebounds, and three steals, although her performance could be impacted by ongoing wrist and ankle injuries. Kiki Iriafen contributed significantly as well, scoring 13 points and grabbing 13 rebounds.

Conversely, Mississippi State enters the game with a 7-9 record in the SEC, having achieved a surprise victory over California, securing a 59-46 win. In that game, junior forward Madina Okot shone brightly, recording 14 points along with 13 rebounds, three steals, and two blocks. Okot, a formidable 6-foot-5 presence, led the SEC in field goal percentage this season at 65.1 percent.

The matchup promises to be a test for both teams, with USC aiming for a solid win that would advance them to the Sweet Sixteen where they would face Kansas State, who narrowly defeated Kentucky 80-79 in their second-round game.

Live coverage of the highly anticipated clash will be available on ESPN, and fans can also stream the game via Fubo. With stakes high, both teams are eager to secure their place in the tournament’s next round, forging ahead in a quest for the championship.