Juju Watkins was taken away with an injury while USC Sweet 16 reached 16

Los Angeles – USC star Juju Watkins was worn off the field for only five minutes in the second round NCAA Tournament match of the Trojans Mississippi State On Monday evening after they seemed to be injured her right knee.

While Watkins drove to the basket during a quick break between two defenders, she was polluted and her right knee nodded while planting her right leg, so she collapsed to the floor. Watkins immediately grabbed her right knee and stayed down for more than a minute.

The crowd in Galen Center took his breath together because trainers eventually had to lift Watkins and wear her in the dressing room. She was shooting 0-of-2, with three free throws, one rebound and two assists before she went.

The team announced during the rest period That Watkins was evaluated by medical staff and would not return. The Trojans, led by Kiki iriafen‘S Season-High 36 points at 16-of-22 shootings, would continue to beat the state of Mississippi 96-59 To reach the Sweet 16 for a second consecutive year.

After the game, USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb had no update on Watkins and only said that “she receives incredible medical care.”

ESPN’s Holly Rowe reported that Watkins left the Arena in a wheelchair and was taken to a local medical center for further evaluation, including an MRI.

After Watkins was injured, the crowd fascinated Mississippi State loudly every time it had the ball. The cheerleaders of the school were booed during their resting routine and the crowd came back to the team when it warmed up for the second half.

“She is the key for us. We didn’t want to abandon her,” Iriafen told ESPN afterwards. “We just want to keep dancing, so whatever it takes is what I wanted to do. I think it just shows our toughness.”

Watkins, an associated press all-American selection and a competition for the National Player of the Year, is on average 24.6 points, 7 rebounds and 3.5 assists and has been the driving force behind the 29-3 campaign of the Trojans, one that deserved the fourth number 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament of this year.

“This team gathered, they gathered for her, they came to each other,” said Gottlieb.

USC Beat UNC Greensboro 71-25 in the first round. During that match, Watkins hurt her left hand after the ball got her fingers. She later came on her left leg and shivered.

“It’s the end of the season, the body is slightly beaten up,” she said afterwards. ‘On to the next. It doesn’t care anyone. I’m all good. “

USC reached the Elite Eight a year ago in the first season of Watkins and lost to Paige Bueckers And UConn. The teams were able to meet again this year in a regional final in Spokane, Washington.

Information from the Associated Press was included in this report.