JuJu Watkins and KiKi Iriafen stats: How did USC stars perform against Ole Miss in season tip-off?

JuJu Watkins and Kiki Iriafen opened their 2024-25 season in Paris against the Ole Miss on Monday. The two teams came together for the second edition of the Aflac Oui-Play event after the South Carolina and Notre Dame matchup became a hit last year. USC and Ole Miss’ game occurred in the Adidas Arena in Paris and was part of the doubleheader as UCLA faced Louisville after their game.

The game saw plenty of lead changes since the first half as the Rebels’ defense constantly kept them in contention for the opener. Even though USC won the contest 68-66, Ole Miss held the Trojans to just a single three-point attempt throughout the game (1-11). They also crashed the board for 20 offensive rebounds, surpassing USC’s 15.

How did Kiki Iriafen and JuJu Watkins perform in the season opener against Ole Miss?

JuJu Watkins and Kiki Iriafen led the Trojans with game-high scoring and combining for 49 points. In 40 minutes of action, Watkins scored a double-double with 27 points and 10 rebounds on 8-19 shooting (42.1%). She also added five blocks, four assists and three steals while finding 12 opportunities to get to the charity stripes. Watkins also made the only 3-pointer USC sank in the game.

However, Watkins turned the ball over nine times and also accumulated her first technical foul of the season after celebrating a block on Kennedy Todd-Williams.

Kiki Iriafen’s USC debut saw her play 32 minutes and record a double-double. The transfer posted 22 points on 7-15 shooting (46.6%) alongside a game-high 13 rebounds and one steal. Iriafen had the second-highest turnovers of the game with four.

As JuJu Watkins helped USC maintain a lead near the halftime buzzer, Iriafen delivered six straight points later in the third quarter to help the Trojans begin the fourth with an upper hand.

Nevertheless, Ole Miss stormed back in the fourth as the two teams began exchanging the lead. With the score tied at 66 in the final seconds, Kiki Iriafen was sent to charity stripes after her putback attempt. She nailed both free throws as USC avoided a basket by Ole Miss in the final nine seconds.