The USC Women of Troy basketball team battled and bested a defensive-minded Ohio State squad, winning 84-63. USC extended possessions with 18 offensive rebounds, resulting in 18 second-chance points.
USC grad student forward Kiki Iriafen led with 24 points, she was one of three Women of Troy to have a double-double.
Ohio State senior guard Taylor Thierry scored 14 points; she and freshman Jaloni Cambridge made five rebounds each.
Shot accuracy also gave USC an advantage. In the third quarter, the Women of Troy shot at 62.5 percent from the field. They ultimately scored at 39.7 percent from the field and 85.2 percent from the free-throw line.
Related Stories
Aarika Hughes Breaks Barriers With LMU Women’s Basketball
Cal, UNLV Inspire La Tijera Students at Day of Play
Scoring helped contest against the 23 turnovers USC made and the 18 points Ohio State earned from them.
“We felt like this game would be about toughness and I think we answered that call,” said Women of Troy basketball head coach Lindsay Gottlieb. “Certainly turned it over a few too many times but that’s how Ohio State plays.”
USC freshman guard Kennedy Smith shined in the matchup, scoring 13 points and a season-high of 13 rebounds.
“We really wanted to lock in on our transition defense so that we were guarding them in the halfcourt,” Gottlieb said. “We felt like we took away tendencies, I thought our size was a real factor.”
Ohio State has a 45 percent shooting average on the field; in seven games this year, they shot at least 50 percent in field goals. The Women of Troy defense only allowed them to shoot 29.4 percent in buckets.
“Our system is very move the ball from side to side and then get what’s easy, get what comes to us,” said Ohio State junior forward Cotie McMahon. “We just have to stay within the system and do what we do, not only that, but trust each other.”
The Buckeyes started off strong, earning a 7-2 lead. Grad student forward Ajae Petty found ways around USC to score but foul trouble would limit her minutes.
Among the four Buckeyes to score in the double digits was Cambridge, who scored 11 points. Thierry hopes to help her further hone her skills.
“She’s done a lot for us, it’s kinda cool to see how she developed this season,” Thierry said. “I’m just excited to continue to see what she is able to do.”
USC sophomore guard JuJu Watkins scored 17 points and 10 rebounds while senior center Rayah Marshall scored 10 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks.
The Women of Troy will host the UCLA Bruins on February 13 at 7:00P.M.
