Lindsay Gottlieb, USC ladies’s basketball head coach, gave a candid evaluation of why her workforce was ‘rusty’ of their NCAA Event opener after the Trojans routed UNC Greensboro 71-25 within the first spherical on Saturday at Galen Middle.
“Our gamers had a great power about them beforehand,” Gottlieb stated, per Los Angeles Occasions reporter Ryan Kartje, “however perhaps that sped us up somewhat bit. I feel we figured it out. … It took us somewhat bit to get in a movement.”
Regardless of the top-seeded Trojans (29-3) profitable by a large margin and advancing to the second spherical, Gottlieb didn’t hesitate to acknowledge areas of enchancment, notably on the offensive finish. USC missed its first 5 photographs and was held to 12 factors within the first quarter by Sixteenth-seeded UNC Greensboro.
“Glad to get the primary one out of the way in which,” Gottlieb stated, per Beth Harris of the Related Press. “We have been somewhat bit rusty on offense.”
The Spartans reduce the deficit to 2 factors early within the second quarter earlier than USC went on a 16-3 run. Six totally different Trojans scored throughout that stretch, which included a powerful defensive effort that restricted the Spartans to 3 free throws within the interval. USC led 28-11 at halftime.
JuJu Watkins briefly exits USC ladies’s basketball sport for damage scare
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“Our protection is one thing we actually take pleasure in, so when issues aren’t going our approach on one aspect of the ground we actually attempt to make it up,” stated star guard JuJu Watkins, who led USC with 22 factors in underneath half-hour of motion.
Watkins briefly exited within the second and third quarters with obvious discomfort in her hand and leg however returned later within the sport.
“It’s the tip of the season, physique is somewhat banged up,” Watkins stated. “On to the following. No person cares. I’m all good.”
Kiki Iriafen added 13 factors and 13 rebounds for USC. Rayah Marshall recorded a game-high seven steals as a part of the Trojans’ defensive effort, which pressured 23 turnovers and held the Spartans to 13% capturing from the sector.
UNCG was making its second NCAA Event look and first in 27 years. The Spartans, who gained the Southern Convention title, have been restricted to seven made area targets and had no gamers rating in double figures.
USC advances to face ninth-seeded Mississippi State on Monday within the second spherical.