Avery Howell scored 12 of her 18 points in the second half and No. 1 seed Southern California endured the absence of star JuJu Watkins to advance to the Elite Eight with a 67-61 win over No. 5 seed Kansas State in Spokane Region 4 on Saturday. The Trojans (31-3), playing their first full game since Watkins' season-ending knee injury, trailed by two at halftime after struggling offensively. USC shot just 29.7 percent from the floor in the half -- and only 6-of-28 outside of Kennedy Smith. Smith scored 11 points in the half as USC dealt now only with Watkins' absence but also shooting woes for Kiki Iriafen.
No. 1 USC survives rough shooting night, tops No. 5 Kansas St.
