After taking UCLA to the wire before falling just short on Sunday, Michigan State was looking for a West Coast split against USC and Big Ten Player of the Year candidate JuJu Watkins.
The Spartans would have an early 6-4 lead on a Jocelyn Tate drive, a layup from Grace VanSlooten, and a jumper from Julia Ayrault. Watkins, however, would lead USC to a 12-8 advantage at the first media timeout with seven points, scoring on a drive, a three pointer, and a putback after wrestling the ball away from MSU after a missed free throw.