The Ohio State women's basketball team got a firsthand look at much-publicized Southern California freshman JuJu Watkins on Monday, and the Buckeyes can vouch that the hype is deserved.

Watkins, last season's national high school player of the year, scored 32 points as the Trojans withstood a frantic Ohio State rally to win 83-74 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in the season opener for both teams. The 6-foot-2 guard was 11 for 18 from the field and had six rebounds and five assists.

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USC, ranked No. 21, took an 18-point halftime lead and led by 19 with 7:07 left in the third quarter before the No. 7 Buckeyes got hot. OSU outscored USC 30-10 in the third quarter and led 58-56 heading into the final period.

USC took control again and outscored the Buckeyes 27-16 in the fourth.

Jacy Sheldon led the Buckeyes with 28 points. Taylor Thierry added 16 points and eight rebounds. Rayah Marshall had 18 points and 17 rebounds for USC.

USC is coming off its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2014.

"I feel we're underrated and had to come out and get the W as a team," Watkins said. "Don't underestimate USC. We're on the rise."

Ohio State started fast, as Sheldon scored eight quick points as the Buckeyes took an 18-15 lead after one quarter. Sheldon was 2 for 2 on 3-pointers in the quarter and finished 2 for 5 on 3's.

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USC dominated for a short while after and took a 46-28 lead into halftime. The Trojans outscored the Buckeyes 31-10 in the second quarter. Marshall had a double-double in the half, with 12 points and 10 rebounds. The Buckeyes were outrebounded 27-11 in the half.

The Buckeyes return home for a 1 p.m. Sunday game against IUPUI.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Freshman phenom JuJu Watkins helps No. 21 USC top No. 7 Ohio State