In an exciting game on Wednesday, freshman Avery Howell shone for No. 4 Southern California, scoring a personal best of 18 points. JuJu Watkins also made a noteworthy contribution with 16 points and seven rebounds. The Trojans dominated Purdue, clinching a 79-37 victory.
The Trojans (18-1, 8-0 Big Ten) displayed strong defense, allowing just two points in the second quarter. This win marks their 14th straight victory, with four of those games ending in margins of 20 points or more.
On Purdue’s side, Kendall Puryear led the team with 10 points as they faced their seventh consecutive loss. The Boilermakers struggled against the top teams, suffering defeats to all four of them in the Associated Press Top 25.
Despite a solid start, where Destini Lombard scored all eight of her points in the first four minutes, Purdue led 16-10 after the first quarter. However, Southern California responded with a remarkable 31-0 run, taking control of the game. At halftime, they were ahead 46-18, and Purdue never regained their footing.
In another standout game, No. 6 UConn crushed Villanova 100-57. Paige Bueckers was unstoppable, scoring 21 points with eight rebounds and nine assists in just three quarters. Teammates Sarah Strong and Kaitlyn Chen contributed significantly, adding 22 and 17 points, respectively. UConn has now won 29 straight conference games.
Bueckers made a strong impact early, scoring 19 points in the first half alone, helping UConn to a 58-32 lead by halftime. The Huskies had several scoring runs that showcased their dominance. As the game progressed, they maintained a comfortable lead, even scoring over 100 points for the second time this season.
Meanwhile, in a thrilling finish, Oklahoma State edged out No. 9 TCU 60-59. Stailee Heard scored 17 points, and Jadyn Wooten was crucial, scoring 10 of her 14 points in the fourth quarter. After trailing by 15 points at half, Oklahoma State rallied back to secure the win, ending TCU’s 10-game winning streak.
In other highlights, No. 16 West Virginia celebrated its 900th win with an impressive performance against Arizona State, winning 89-59. JJ Quinerly was a standout with 29 points, and the Mountaineers took control early, leading 28-9 after the first quarter.
No. 21 Michigan State continued its winning streak, defeating Penn State 82-61. Theryn Hallock and Julia Ayrault led the scoring for the Spartans as they capitalized on their opponent’s turnovers to build a strong lead.
Lastly, No. 24 Michigan pulled out a tight game against No. 23 Minnesota, winning 70-65. Freshman Syla Swords scored 23 points, helping Michigan secure a crucial victory against a ranked opponent for the first time in six games.
Source link
Oklahoma State,Purdue,Michigan State
