The star of the USC Juju Watkins falls, and Trojans lose Mississippi State in March madness

Juju Watkins was taken from the floor with a knee injury in the season in the first quarter of the best placed match of southern California against Mississippi State in the NCAA tournament on Monday evening.

Watkins, one of the biggest stars in women’s basketball, broke into the basket of two defenders, when her knee leaned awkwardly, when she planted her right leg, non -contact injuries caused her to crush on the floor. She grabbed her knee and writhed in pain when her teammates surrounded her.

“I would lie if I told you that I wasn’t a ratchet, seeing Juju lying on the floor and crying,” said coach Lindsay Gottlieb.

Later, the team spokesman said Watkins would undergo surgery and then start rehabilitation.

The crowd in the Galen Center stopped when Gottlieb and two other USC employees participated in 19-year-old Watkins, the second yr, which has a mean of 24.6 points. It was taken by many individuals with Trojans leading 13-2.

Trojani won 96-59 to succeed in Sweet 16.

“My prayers and thoughts are from Juju,” said MSU coach Purcell himself. “Of course, we are competitors and you never want to see it, especially what she means for women in basketball.”

Watkins enjoyed good health in her short profession of the university. She began all 34 USC games as a primary -year student, when she was second in scoring points in the country from 27.1 points for the match. Its 920 points set a national record of scoring the first yr.

The Civil Registry Office reached the elite eight last yr, losing to Paige Bueckers and Uconn. The teams could meet again in the regional final in Spokane in Washington this yr.

After wounding Watkins, the crowd loudly booed the state of Mississippi each time he had a ball. The school’s cheerleaders were booed during the routine during the break, and the crowd got into the band again when he warmed up for the second half.

“They will stand behind their team.” I could not do anything but respect them. “

Watkins had three free kicks, one reflection and two assists in five minutes.

In the second quarter, the USC Malia Samuels guard fell hard on the bottom line. She was holding her head in her hands as the crowd struck, and Gottlieb got here out again to ascertain the second yr, which in the absence of Watkins.

“I got relief, hearing him says,” I’m good, “said Gottlieb.

Trojans seemed to not be an injury of their stars. They threw the floor on the occasion of the older Rayah Marshall in a 3-point indicator to beat the buzzer during the break and extend the result in 50-27.

“They gave us a lot of energy, especially when at the beginning of the matter did not go at the beginning,” said Kiki Iriafen, who scored 36 points in the season.

Watkins hurt his left hand after the ball slammed his fingers in the first round of winning in the first round with Unc Greensboro. Later, she got on her left leg and winced.

“This is the end of the season, the body is a bit hit,” she said later. “Until the next. Nobody cares. I’m good.”