2025 Women’s B1G Ten Conference Tournament Semifinal Day presented by TIAA

story by: Nick Jenkinson, Excel H Sports

photos by: Tony Harper, Excel H Sports/Indiana Sports Network

     The Top Seed USC Trojans outscored the # 5 Seed Michigan Wolverines 53-39 in the second half to win 82-70 in the Semifinals of the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament Presented by TIAA at Gainbridge Fieldhouse Saturday Afternoon in Indianapolis. USC improves to 28-2 and will face either UCLA or Ohio State tomorrow afternoon in the Championship Game at 4:30 PM on CBS. Michigan drops to 22-10 and will wait to learn their NCAA Tournament Path Next Sunday Night at 8 PM.

   Michigan led 12-9 after the first quarter as the Trojans outscored Michigan 20-19 in the second quarter. Michigan led 31-29 at halftime but the Trojans came out in the second half and outscored Michigan 24-21 to lead 53-52 going into the final ten minutes. USC used a big run to put the game away outscoring Michigan 29-18 in the fourth quarter to advance to championship game in their first year in the conference.

           Kiki Iriafen

   Kiki Iriafen led the Trojans with 25 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore sensation Juju Watkins scored 20 points and pulled down 11 rebounds. Freshman Avery Howell added 11 points. Rayah Marshall returned to the starting lineup after missing Friday’s Quarterfinal game with Indiana due to Illness. Marshall scored 9 points, 3 rebounds and dished out 2 assists. USC finished the game 29-65 from the field for 44%, 5-18 for 27% and 19-26 from the free throw line for 73%. USC pulled down 42 rebounds, dished out 19 assists, 10 steals, 4 blocks and committed 17 turnovers.

  Freshman Syla Swords led Michigan with 26 points. Big Ten Co-Freshman of the year Olivia Olson added 13 points and Jordan Hobbs scored 12 points. Michigan went 26-65 from the field for 38%, 4-15 from three-point range for 26% and 16-17 from the free throw line for 94%. Michigan pulled down 33 rebounds, dished 10 assists, 10 steals, no blocks and committed 17 turnovers.

     The Second Seed UCLA Bruins blew out the Third Seed Ohio State Buckeyes 75-46 in the Semifinals of the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament presented by TIAA Saturday evening at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. UCLA is 29-2 on the season and faces it Crosstown rival USC tomorrow at 4;30 PM in the Championship Game on CBS as the Los Angeles Schools meet for the third time with USC winning both regular season matchups. Ohio State drops to 25-6 on the season and will wait a week to hear their name called for the NCAA Tournament Next Sunday Night at 8 PM.

  Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Year Jaloni Cambridge led Ohio State with 10 points. The Buckeyes finished the game 19-57 from the field for 33%, 3-10 from three-point range for 30% and 5-11 from the free throw line for 45%. Ohio State pulled down 25 rebounds, dished out 9 assists, 9 steals, 5 blocks and committed 12 turnovers.

    UCLA controlled the game start to finish leading 22-8 after the first quarter and outscoring the Buckeyes 22-13 in the second quarter for a 44-21 halftime lead. UCLA outscored Ohio State 23-9 in the third quarter as the Bruins went up 67-30 going into the final ten minutes. Ohio State outscored UCLA  16-8 in the final ten minutes as the Bruins move on to the Championship game tomorrow in their first year in the Big Ten.