Friday, November 10
Los Angeles, Calif.
7:00 PM
USC
vs
Florida Gulf Coast
Players Mentioned
G/F
/ Women's Basketball
C
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G/F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
C/F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
Photo by: John McGillen
No. 21 USC Women's Basketball Gets Back To Galen For Season’s First Home Games
November 08, 2023 | Women's Basketball
Trojans face Florida Gulf Coast and celebrate NCAA history on Friday night, host Le Moyne on Monday.
— USC HOME OPENER —
#21 USC vs. Florida Gulf Coast
Galen Center | Los Angeles, Calif.
Saturday, Nov. 10 | 7 p.m.
Series Record: FIRST MEETING
STREAM | STATS
#21 USC vs. Le Moyne
Galen Center | Los Angeles, Calif.
Monday, Nov. 13 | 5:30 p.m.
Series Record: FIRST MEETING
STREAM | STATS
THIS WEEK
Fresh off a top-10 victory in Las Vegas, USC turns to set up camp back at Galen Center and prep for the Trojans' home opener, which brings Florida Gulf Coast to town for the first-ever meeting with the USC women. The Trojans and Eagles face off at 7 p.m. on Friday (Nov. 10) on a night that will also feature a celebration of the 40th anniversary of USC's back-to-back NCAA Championship teams. Many members of the 1983 and 1984 rosters will be in attendance, including Cheryl Miller, Pam and Paula McGee and coach Linda Sharp. And to kick off the following week, USC has a Monday matchup against another first-time foe, with Le Moyne coming to Galen Center for a 5:30 p.m. meeting on Monday (Nov. 13).
FOLLOW ALONG
USC's next two games at Galen Center will be streamed live at pac-12.com/live/usc.
IN THE POLLS
USC's No. 21 preseason national ranking marks the fourth time the Trojans have appeared in preseason AP and USA Today polls since 2005. It's the highest preseason ranking for USC in that span, following No. 23 in 2011, No. 22 and 2006 and No. 24 (AP) and No. 22 (USA Today) in 2005.
STATEMENT START
USC notched its first season-opening win over a ranked opponent since 1990 with an upset victory over No. 7 Ohio State at the Hall of Fame Series at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. That 1990 upset win came over a No. 7 Texas team, with Trojan great Lisa Leslie delivering 30 points in her freshman debut at USC. Fitting, then, that today's statement win by the Women of Troy featured a 32-point effort from true freshman JuJu Watkins. Leslie and Watkins both were named Gatorade National Players of the Year as seniors in high school before signing on to USC. Up 46-28 at halftime, USC was shooting 51.4 percent from the floor in those first 20 minutes, with JuJu Watkins holding 16 points and Rayah Marshall already at a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds by the break. Ohio State, which made just two field foals in the second quarter while winding up at 29.6 percent shooting the first half. The Buckeyes would bounce back, however, benefitting from a swaying foul count and almost matching USC's second-quarter effort in outscoring USC 30-10 in the third. A stalwart effort from the Trojans would pull them back ahead in the fourth, fending off the No. 7 Buckeyes to win the day in Vegas. USC finished out the game shooting 51 percent overall to outpace Ohio State's 40-percent effort. USC also outrebounded the Buckeyes 43-28. Led by freshman Watkins' game-high 32 points, USC also saw Marshall net her 21st career double-double with a final 18 points and 17 rebounds. Marshall also extended her impressive blocks streak to 52 straight games with two more tallied today, and added a career-high six steals. Also hitting double digits for the Trojans was McKenzie Forbes with 11 while Kaitlyn Davis added nine rebounds for USC and Watkins dished out five assists. Ohio State was paced by Jacy Sheldon's 28 points along with 16 from Taylor Thierry.
NOTABLE:
-- USC's win over No. 7 Ohio State was its first season-opening victory over a ranked opponent since 1990, when a No. 25 USC team upset No. 7 Texas 88-77 (11/25/90).
- With 32 points today, FR JuJu Watkins beat Lisa Leslie's 30-point effort in her first game as a USC freshman — recorded in that aforementioned 1990 season opener.
- Watkins' 32 points scored marked the most by a USC (or any Pac-12) freshman in any game since Alissa Pili (32 points) in 2020.
- Only two other USC freshmen have scored more than 32 points in a game — Cheryl Miller (39 points vs. Northwestern, 11/30/82) and Lisa Leslie (33 points at Cal, 1/17/91).
- JR Rayah Marshall recorded her 21st career double-double with 18 points and 17 rebounds today.
- With two blocks, Marshall has extended her streak to 52 straight games with at least one block.
- Marshall also recorded a career-high six steals.
- Five players scored their first points as Trojans today — FR Watkins (32 points), GS McKenzie Forbes (11), GS Kayla Padilla (8), GS Kaitlyn Davis (4) and FR Malia Samuels (2).
- USC is now 4-4 all-time against Ohio State.
- USC's last win over a top-10 opponent was a 55-46 victory over No. 2 Stanford last season (1/13/23).
TOP TALENT
For just the second time in program history, USC women's basketball welcomes the Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year to Troy, with the addition of heralded incoming freshman JuJu Watkins. Watkins follows in the footsteps of another Los Angeles native, Lisa Leslie, a Trojan great who was the Gatorade Player of the Year in 1990 on her way into USC. Watkins picked up All-Pac-12 Preseason Honorable Mention, and was recently named to the Jersey Mike's Naismith Watch List.
BLOCK LOCK
Defense was one of USC's strengths last season with the help of Rayah Marshall, who earned 2023 All-Pac12 Team honors as she led the conference in total rebounds with 322 and was second in the nation with 98 blocks as a sophomore. Now a junior and coming off a summer preparing for and playing for the USA in the FIBA Women's AmeriCup, Marshall's shot blocking and rebounding ability coupled with her newfound leadership has made her an essential role player for the Women of Troy as she enters her junior season tasked with time in the paint as a center. After tacking up her 21st career double-double in USC's season opener, Marshall also added to her impressive blocks streak, now with 52 straight game recording at least one block for the Trojans.
VETERAN STATUS
In addition to Marshall, USC welcomes back a strong group of returners from last season's success. Now a senior, guard Kayla Williams picked up 2023 Pac-12 All-Defensive Honorable Mention, having started all 31 games as a reliable backcourt defender for the team. Also back for more in 2023-24 is redshirt sophomore guard Taylor Bigby, who brings length and sharpshooting to the perimeter, where fifth-year guard India Otto also is a proven threat. Now with two years under her belt at USC, 6-6 center Clarice Akunwafo is back to help man the paint as a junior.
DEPTH CHARGE
Freshman Malia Samuels comes into the season having been named Washington's 2022 3A Player of the Year, adding point guard savvy and defensive talents to the squad. USC's guard depth is intensified as redshirt sophomore guard Dominique Onu steps on the court this season for her first action as a Trojan following her midseason transfer from UCLA. And after redshirting her first season, guard Aaliyah Gayles is lined up for her Trojan debut as well.
GRAD GREATS
With a proven eye for talent, USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb has added four graduate transfers to the 2023-24 Trojan roster. Three — Kaitlyn Davis, McKenzie Forbes and Kayla Padilla — were standouts in the Ivy League, and one — Roxane Makolo — boasts international experience with Team Canada. A proven point guard in her time at Penn, Padilla joins the Trojans as a three-time All-Ivy First Team selection. Her speed and basketball IQ will be an asset to the team for the upcoming season. Marshall and Akunwafo will be supported in the paint with Columbia forward Davis, whose strength and agility make her extremely difficult to defend. With depth comes versatility as Forbes returns to her home state after three strong years at Harvard, where she earned 2022 All-Ivy Second Team honors. She also was recently selected to the Cheryl Miller Small Forward of the Year Preseason Watch List.
WNBA DRAFT DOUBLE
USC grad students Kadi Sissoko and Okako Adika were picked back-to-back in the 2023 WNBA Draft Third Round as the 29th and 30th overall players chosen, respectively. A 6-2 forward from Paris, France, Sissoko was the Trojans' top scorer season and was selected by the Phoenix Mercury. A full-time starter from Holster, Denmark, Adika — a 6-0 guard — was a defensive lock who came up big for the Trojans and has been picked by the New York Liberty. It was the first time since 2012 and just the third time ever that USC has had two players selected in a WNBA Draft. They followed 2012 picks for Jacki Gemelos and Briana Gilbreath, and 1997 draftees Pam McGee and Tina Thompson. Adika was waived for the 2023 season, while Sissoko played the full season with the Mercury. Sissoko is currently playing in France with Flammes Carolo Basket Ardennes
LAST SEASON
During the 2022-23 season, the USC women went 11-7 in conference play and finished 21-10 overall. Succeeding in arguably one of the most competitive conferences, the Women of Troy were able to earn a bid to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014, when USC won the Pac-12 Tournament title. USC's 2023 NCAA appearance marked its first at-large bid into the tourney since 2006. The Trojan defense set a program record last season in holding opponents to just 35.4 percent shooting from the floor.
#21 USC vs. Florida Gulf Coast
Galen Center | Los Angeles, Calif.
Saturday, Nov. 10 | 7 p.m.
Series Record: FIRST MEETING
STREAM | STATS
#21 USC vs. Le Moyne
Galen Center | Los Angeles, Calif.
Monday, Nov. 13 | 5:30 p.m.
Series Record: FIRST MEETING
STREAM | STATS
THIS WEEK
Fresh off a top-10 victory in Las Vegas, USC turns to set up camp back at Galen Center and prep for the Trojans' home opener, which brings Florida Gulf Coast to town for the first-ever meeting with the USC women. The Trojans and Eagles face off at 7 p.m. on Friday (Nov. 10) on a night that will also feature a celebration of the 40th anniversary of USC's back-to-back NCAA Championship teams. Many members of the 1983 and 1984 rosters will be in attendance, including Cheryl Miller, Pam and Paula McGee and coach Linda Sharp. And to kick off the following week, USC has a Monday matchup against another first-time foe, with Le Moyne coming to Galen Center for a 5:30 p.m. meeting on Monday (Nov. 13).
FOLLOW ALONG
USC's next two games at Galen Center will be streamed live at pac-12.com/live/usc.
IN THE POLLS
USC's No. 21 preseason national ranking marks the fourth time the Trojans have appeared in preseason AP and USA Today polls since 2005. It's the highest preseason ranking for USC in that span, following No. 23 in 2011, No. 22 and 2006 and No. 24 (AP) and No. 22 (USA Today) in 2005.
STATEMENT START
USC notched its first season-opening win over a ranked opponent since 1990 with an upset victory over No. 7 Ohio State at the Hall of Fame Series at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. That 1990 upset win came over a No. 7 Texas team, with Trojan great Lisa Leslie delivering 30 points in her freshman debut at USC. Fitting, then, that today's statement win by the Women of Troy featured a 32-point effort from true freshman JuJu Watkins. Leslie and Watkins both were named Gatorade National Players of the Year as seniors in high school before signing on to USC. Up 46-28 at halftime, USC was shooting 51.4 percent from the floor in those first 20 minutes, with JuJu Watkins holding 16 points and Rayah Marshall already at a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds by the break. Ohio State, which made just two field foals in the second quarter while winding up at 29.6 percent shooting the first half. The Buckeyes would bounce back, however, benefitting from a swaying foul count and almost matching USC's second-quarter effort in outscoring USC 30-10 in the third. A stalwart effort from the Trojans would pull them back ahead in the fourth, fending off the No. 7 Buckeyes to win the day in Vegas. USC finished out the game shooting 51 percent overall to outpace Ohio State's 40-percent effort. USC also outrebounded the Buckeyes 43-28. Led by freshman Watkins' game-high 32 points, USC also saw Marshall net her 21st career double-double with a final 18 points and 17 rebounds. Marshall also extended her impressive blocks streak to 52 straight games with two more tallied today, and added a career-high six steals. Also hitting double digits for the Trojans was McKenzie Forbes with 11 while Kaitlyn Davis added nine rebounds for USC and Watkins dished out five assists. Ohio State was paced by Jacy Sheldon's 28 points along with 16 from Taylor Thierry.
NOTABLE:
-- USC's win over No. 7 Ohio State was its first season-opening victory over a ranked opponent since 1990, when a No. 25 USC team upset No. 7 Texas 88-77 (11/25/90).
- With 32 points today, FR JuJu Watkins beat Lisa Leslie's 30-point effort in her first game as a USC freshman — recorded in that aforementioned 1990 season opener.
- Watkins' 32 points scored marked the most by a USC (or any Pac-12) freshman in any game since Alissa Pili (32 points) in 2020.
- Only two other USC freshmen have scored more than 32 points in a game — Cheryl Miller (39 points vs. Northwestern, 11/30/82) and Lisa Leslie (33 points at Cal, 1/17/91).
- JR Rayah Marshall recorded her 21st career double-double with 18 points and 17 rebounds today.
- With two blocks, Marshall has extended her streak to 52 straight games with at least one block.
- Marshall also recorded a career-high six steals.
- Five players scored their first points as Trojans today — FR Watkins (32 points), GS McKenzie Forbes (11), GS Kayla Padilla (8), GS Kaitlyn Davis (4) and FR Malia Samuels (2).
- USC is now 4-4 all-time against Ohio State.
- USC's last win over a top-10 opponent was a 55-46 victory over No. 2 Stanford last season (1/13/23).
TOP TALENT
For just the second time in program history, USC women's basketball welcomes the Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year to Troy, with the addition of heralded incoming freshman JuJu Watkins. Watkins follows in the footsteps of another Los Angeles native, Lisa Leslie, a Trojan great who was the Gatorade Player of the Year in 1990 on her way into USC. Watkins picked up All-Pac-12 Preseason Honorable Mention, and was recently named to the Jersey Mike's Naismith Watch List.
BLOCK LOCK
Defense was one of USC's strengths last season with the help of Rayah Marshall, who earned 2023 All-Pac12 Team honors as she led the conference in total rebounds with 322 and was second in the nation with 98 blocks as a sophomore. Now a junior and coming off a summer preparing for and playing for the USA in the FIBA Women's AmeriCup, Marshall's shot blocking and rebounding ability coupled with her newfound leadership has made her an essential role player for the Women of Troy as she enters her junior season tasked with time in the paint as a center. After tacking up her 21st career double-double in USC's season opener, Marshall also added to her impressive blocks streak, now with 52 straight game recording at least one block for the Trojans.
VETERAN STATUS
In addition to Marshall, USC welcomes back a strong group of returners from last season's success. Now a senior, guard Kayla Williams picked up 2023 Pac-12 All-Defensive Honorable Mention, having started all 31 games as a reliable backcourt defender for the team. Also back for more in 2023-24 is redshirt sophomore guard Taylor Bigby, who brings length and sharpshooting to the perimeter, where fifth-year guard India Otto also is a proven threat. Now with two years under her belt at USC, 6-6 center Clarice Akunwafo is back to help man the paint as a junior.
DEPTH CHARGE
Freshman Malia Samuels comes into the season having been named Washington's 2022 3A Player of the Year, adding point guard savvy and defensive talents to the squad. USC's guard depth is intensified as redshirt sophomore guard Dominique Onu steps on the court this season for her first action as a Trojan following her midseason transfer from UCLA. And after redshirting her first season, guard Aaliyah Gayles is lined up for her Trojan debut as well.
GRAD GREATS
With a proven eye for talent, USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb has added four graduate transfers to the 2023-24 Trojan roster. Three — Kaitlyn Davis, McKenzie Forbes and Kayla Padilla — were standouts in the Ivy League, and one — Roxane Makolo — boasts international experience with Team Canada. A proven point guard in her time at Penn, Padilla joins the Trojans as a three-time All-Ivy First Team selection. Her speed and basketball IQ will be an asset to the team for the upcoming season. Marshall and Akunwafo will be supported in the paint with Columbia forward Davis, whose strength and agility make her extremely difficult to defend. With depth comes versatility as Forbes returns to her home state after three strong years at Harvard, where she earned 2022 All-Ivy Second Team honors. She also was recently selected to the Cheryl Miller Small Forward of the Year Preseason Watch List.
WNBA DRAFT DOUBLE
USC grad students Kadi Sissoko and Okako Adika were picked back-to-back in the 2023 WNBA Draft Third Round as the 29th and 30th overall players chosen, respectively. A 6-2 forward from Paris, France, Sissoko was the Trojans' top scorer season and was selected by the Phoenix Mercury. A full-time starter from Holster, Denmark, Adika — a 6-0 guard — was a defensive lock who came up big for the Trojans and has been picked by the New York Liberty. It was the first time since 2012 and just the third time ever that USC has had two players selected in a WNBA Draft. They followed 2012 picks for Jacki Gemelos and Briana Gilbreath, and 1997 draftees Pam McGee and Tina Thompson. Adika was waived for the 2023 season, while Sissoko played the full season with the Mercury. Sissoko is currently playing in France with Flammes Carolo Basket Ardennes
LAST SEASON
During the 2022-23 season, the USC women went 11-7 in conference play and finished 21-10 overall. Succeeding in arguably one of the most competitive conferences, the Women of Troy were able to earn a bid to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014, when USC won the Pac-12 Tournament title. USC's 2023 NCAA appearance marked its first at-large bid into the tourney since 2006. The Trojan defense set a program record last season in holding opponents to just 35.4 percent shooting from the floor.
Women's Basketball Head Coach Lindsay Gottlieb Media Availability 9/18/25
Thursday, September 18
USC WBB's Lindsay Gottlieb, Rayah Marshall and Talia von Oelhoffen | Trojan Press Conference
Monday, March 31
USC WBB heads to the Elite 8, defeats Kansas State in Sweet 16 | Rapid Reaction
Saturday, March 29
Kennedy Smith on USC WBB heading to the Elite Eight, Trojan freshmen getting the job done
Saturday, March 29
