Things went chippy at the handshake line after USC won 96-59 on Monday in the second round of the 2025 Women's NCAA Tournament.
Trojan horse centre Leia Marshall was restrained by USC coaching staff during a exchange with bulldog guard Enya Russell. Video submission by Washington Post.
Emotions were high after USC superstar Juju Watkins suffered from an ACL torn in his right knee just five minutes after the match at Los Angeles' Gallen Center.
The Bulldog was booed loudly by the crowd whenever he touched the ball after Watkins' injury.
Mississippi State Guard Chandler Plater – one of the two Bulldog defenders defending Watkins when she was injured in a fast break – was borne the brunt of fans' complaints.
Prater, a graduate student, was not available for post-match media availability.
She “is not going well,” a team representative said. USA Today Sports.
Watkins averaged 24.6 points, 7 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.3 steel and 1.8 blocks, and was carried off the court and did not return to the bench.
Mississippi cheerleaders were also booed at halftime when they got on the floor.
Mississippi State head coach Sam Purcell explained that he didn't know his team was being rebounded against Watkins' injury, and that he felt Platter reflected the situation.
“We're a class program,” Purcell said. “We don't play to get hurt. We play to compete. It's just an unfortunate situation. There was no harm. And I hope that social media will be ugly. I understand that the other women on my team are women in class. She also comes from the family of loving parents.
“I pray that as a society we understand that it's a thoughtful apology that we don't take this any more than necessary. On behalf of the Bulldogs, once again, she is the ultimate competitor, so I pray for her recovery for this next game.
Mississippi State Guard Jakaila Jordan, who scored 17 points, said it was nothing more than a tribute to Watkins's face.
“They're going to stand behind their home team. They're going to be really hard on Juju,” Jordan said. “I could do nothing but respect them.”
“It was definitely an unfortunate position because it was a basketball play,” said Denim Deshield, the Bulldog junior guard.
Watkins, 19, will begin rehabilitation after undergoing season-ending surgery. USC has announced.
They rely on forward Kiki Iliafen, who scored 36 points against the Bulldogs for the rest of the March madness.
The Trojans will face Kansas State on Saturday in the Sweet 16 at the Spokane Arena in Washington.
