Indiana women’s basketball’s Big Ten Tournament run ends with loss to No. 1-seeded USC

INDIANAPOLIS — Entering its matchup with No. 1-seeded USC, Indiana women’s basketball was coming off a 16-point victory over Oregon on Thursday. 

After falling behind in the third quarter, the Hoosiers were within striking distance in the fourth but ultimately bowed out of the Big Ten Tournament on Friday as they lost to the Trojans, 84-79, inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. 

Indiana got on the board first thanks to graduate student guard Sydney Parrish’s layup. And while the Hoosiers led for much of the first six and a half minutes of the first quarter, the Trojans responded with an 8-0 run as they led by 5 points at the end of the period. 

USC began the second quarter outscoring Indiana 12-5, however, graduate student guard Chloe Moore-McNeil and junior guard Shay Ciezki led the Hoosiers on a 6-0 spurt to pull within 2 points. 

Looking to tie or regain the lead, Indiana couldn’t contain USC sophomore guard JuJu Watkins in the last couple minutes of the half as she scored the Trojans’ final 4 points to give them a 4-point lead. She scored 16 points in the first half to lead all scorers. 

After outscoring USC in the second quarter, Indiana did the same in the third. Garzon and Ciezki paced the Hoosiers’ offense with 9 and 8 points in the quarter respectively. 

The Cream and Crimson started the third on an 8-0 run to take a 2-point lead. Although the Trojans regained the advantage, the Hoosiers finished the quarter on a 5-0 run to pull within 2 points heading into the fourth. 

Indiana was within 2 points in early stages of the final period, but after Parrish fouled out with 5:39 left in the game, USC extended its lead to 7 and eventually 5 at the under-five media timeout. 

USC graduate student guard Talia van Oelhoffen and Watkins each connected on 3-pointers to give the Trojans a 9-point lead with just over two and a half minutes remaining. Indiana managed to pull within 4 but fell by 5 points to USC. 

Watkins scored a game-high 31 points while also notching 10 rebounds. Graduate student forward Kiki Iriafen also scored 21 points for the Trojans. Garzon led the Hoosiers with 23 points while Ciezki chipped in 15 points. 

Indiana will now await its NCAA Tournament fate, which it will learn at 8 p.m. March 16. The NCAA Tournament selection show will be televised on ESPN. 

Follow reporters Dalton James (@DaltonMJames) and Savannah Slone (@savrivers06) and columnist Ryan Canfield (@RyanCanfieldOnX) for updates throughout the Indiana women’s basketball season.