No. 7 USC overcomes slow start to down No. 8 Ohio State, 84-63

Kiki Iriafen, who had a team-high 24 points and 13 rebounds for USC, goes up over Cotie McMahon for the bucket. Big Ten photo.

No. 7 USC used the power of rebounds to overcome a painfully slow start and down No. 8 Ohio State, 84-63 on Saturday.

The Trojans, who lead just 14-11 after the first quarter, on 25 percent shooting, picked up the pace in the second half and out-rebounded the Buckeyes, 62-30, for the game. Kiki Iriafen lead three in double figures from USC with 24 points and 13 rebounds, while Juju Watkins added 17 points and 10 rebounds and Kennedy Smith had 13 points and 13 rebounds.

Ohio State had lost just one game before losing to UCLA Wednesday. Taylor Thierry lead them with 14 points, while Cotie McMahon scored 13 and Chance Gray, 12.