Thursday, February 23
Los Angeles, Calif.
8:00 PM
USC
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Washington
Players Mentioned
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Photo by: John McGillen
USC Women’s Basketball Wraps Regular Season At Galen Vs. Washington Schools
February 21, 2023 | Women's Basketball
Trojans host Washington on Thursday night before celebrating Senior Day on Saturday against Washington State.
USC (19-8, 9-7) vs. Washington (15-11, 7-9)
Galen Center | Los Angeles, Calif. | Friday, Feb. 23 | 8 p.m.
Series Record (since 1986-87): USC trails 36-37 (W4)
Last Meeting: W 63-54 ot [21/22/23 • Seattle]
Last USC loss: 75-66 [2/21/20 • Seattle]
TV: P12 Los Angeles (Talent: Trey Bender & Maylana Martin Douglas)
STREAM | STATS
USC vs. Washington St. (18-9, 8-8)
Galen Center | Los Angeles, Calif. | Sunday, Feb. 25 | 12 p.m.
Series Record (since 1981-82): USC leads 55-20 (W1)
Last Meeting: W 51-44 [1/20/23 • Pullman]
Last USC loss: 57-54 [2/13/22 • Pullman]
TV: P12 Washington (Talent: Tracy Warren & Tammy Blackburn)
STREAM | STATS
THIS WEEK
USC returns to Galen Center this week for its final home games of the regular season. The Trojans (19-8, 9-7 Pac-12) host Washington (15-11, 7-9) at 8 p.m. on Thursday (Feb. 23) before celebrating their Senior Day before a 12 p.m. clash against Washington State (18-9, 8-8) on Saturday (Feb. 25). USC is looking for a strong finish to conference play in prep for the coming Pac-12 Tournament, running March 1-5 in Las Vegas.
FOLLOW ALONG
Thursday's USC-Washington clash will be broadcast on Pac-12 Networks with Trey Bender and Maylana Martin Douglas on the call. Saturday's game vs. the Cougars will air on Pac-12 Networks with Tracy Warren and Tammy Blackburn on that call. Games will also stream live at pac-12.com/live.
IN THE POLLS
After a week ranked No. 25 in the national AP rankings, USC is receiving votes in both polls this week. USC enters this week rated 28 in the NET rankings.
USC IN THE NATION
USC entered the week ranked as the No. 15 team in the nation in scoring defense, holding teams to an average of 54.9 points per game. The Trojans also are top-20 in three other categories: blocks per game (6th - 5.5 bpg), field goal percentage defense (14th‚ 35.5%) and 3-point percentage defense (16th — 26.4%).
Tammy Blackburn's Buck-a-Board Challenge
In honor of Pac-12 sports programs who have shown their unwavering support, Pac-12 Networks broadcaster Tammy Blackburn is taking on cancer with her Buck-a-Board Challenge to support the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Throughout the month of February, Tammy will donate $1 for every rebound in each game she broadcasts. The mission of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund is to raise money for life saving cancer research, underserved programs that provide access to quality cancer healthcare and unite people in the fight against all cancers affecting women. With a $15,000 goal, Tammy is encouraging coaches, players, family, friends and fans to match her pledge or make a donation of any amount at charity.pledgeit.org/tammyb. #boxoutcancer
TROJANS IN THE NATION
Individually, USC entered the week with players making their marks on the national stat sheets. With 3.33 blocks per game, Rayah Marshall ranks No. 3 in the nation. She's No. 5 in total blocks (80) and No. 19 in total double-doubles with 13. Marshall also is making her mark on the boards, ranked No. 8 with her 11.7 rebounds per game and No. 5 with 8.5 defensive rebounds per game. Another Trojan in the nation's top-25 to date is Destiny Littleton, who ranks 21st with a free-throw percentage of 87.9.
DESTINY DOES IT
Guard Destiny Littleton grabbed her first honor as the Pac-12 Player of the Week after her instrumental role in leading the Trojans to a sweep of the Bay Area schools, topped off with a statement-making upset of No. 2 Stanford at Galen Center. Littleton tallied a game-high 18 points in both wins and served up five assists against Cal and six against Stanford. In the Trojans' 55-46 win over the Cardinal, Littleton played the full 40 minutes to help anchor USC's first win over an opponent ranked No. 2 or better since 2008. USC's upset also snapped the Cardinal's 39-game win streak against Pac-12 opponents. Defensively, USC held Stanford to its lowest point total since 2016. It was USC's largest margin of victory over Stanford since a 12-point win in 1993. Littleton recorded double digits in three straight game to help earn her status as the second Trojan to be named Pac-12 Player of the Week this season and 52nd all-time, following teammate Rayah Marshall's win on Jan. 2.
RAYAH REIGNS AS PAC-12 PLAYER OF THE WEEK
USC sophomore Rayah Marshall was the driving force for the Trojans in a key Pac-12 road split, ringing in the new year with her first career selection as the Pac-12 Player of the Week on Jan. 2. The versatile forward made her mark in the USC history books with the most points scored by a Trojan since 2019 when she pinned up a career-high 33 points in the Trojans' win at Oregon State on Dec. 30. She'd haul in 16 rebounds in that one and keep her blocks streak alive and well with four in USC's victory. It was the just the seventh 30-point and 15-rebound double-double by any player in the NCAA this season and the first such outing by a Trojan since at least 1999-2000. Marshall also accounted for 16 of USC's 18 points in the fourth quarter against the Beavers and had over half USC's total team rebounds in the win. At No. 17 Oregon on New Year's Day, Marshall continued her blocks streak in stretching her run to 34 straight games with at least one block while also tallying her fifth consecutive double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. It is the first career Pac-12 Player of the Week honor for Marshall and the 51st overall for the Women of Troy all-time.
BATTLE IN BERKELEY
It was an all-out battle in Berkeley as No. 25 USC was edged out in overtime 81-78 by host California after 18 lead changes and 23 ties. USC's Kadi Sissoko broke the 1,000-point career scoring mark along the way with her 30-point outing, but the Bears were able to emerge with the Pac-12 win in spite of Sissoko's scoring strength. USC and Cal were largely in lockstep throughout the first half, trading the lead 12 times and winding up snarled at 36-36 at halftime. The Trojans were shooting 46.4 percent from the floor in those first 20 minutes with four 3-pointers landed along the way. Cal nailed six threes in the first half and shot 43.3 overall while leading on the boards 18-16 by the break. The battle raged on, and the teams wound up level on the boards 42-42 and almost even in scoring. Cal finished up shooting 40.3 percent overall with eight 3-pointers landed to edge out USC's 39.7 percent effort with seven threes nailed. Kadi Sissoko led all scorers with 30 points — a season high for her as she finished out the game holding 1,015 career points — with Rayah Marshall adding 14 points and Kayla Williams and Destiny Littleton at 13 points apiece. Cal was paced by Jayda Curry's 27 points, along with 15 from Kemery Martín and 14 from Evelien Lute Schipholt.
NOTABLE:
- With a season-high 30 points, GS Kadi Sissoko scored in double digits for the 17th time this season, her fifth time with 20 points or more.
- Making a layup with 9:45 left in the third quarter, Sissoko surpassed 1,000 career points. She finished the game with 1,015 career points.
- With three blocks, SO Rayah Marshall has recorded at least one block in 47 consecutive games played, her fifth consecutive game with three blocks or more.
- Marshall now holds 80 blocks this season — fourth most by a Trojan in a single season in program history (ties Cheryl Miller's 1984-85 total).
- During Marshall's five straight games with three blocks or more, she's averaged 4.6 blocks per contest.
- With 14 points, Marshall scored in double digits for the 17th time this season.
- Grabbing nine rebounds along with her 14 points, Marshall's eight-game streak of double-digit rebounds was snapped. During the streak, she averaged 14.5 rebounds per contest.
- With 13 points, GS Destiny Littleton scored in double digits for a team-leading 22nd time this season and ninth consecutive game.
- During Littleton's nine consecutive games in double digits, she has averaged 18 points per contest.
- Making two 3-pointers, GS Okako Adika recorded her 12th game this season with two or more 3-pointers and her fourth consecutive such effort.
- With 13 points, JR Kayla Williams scored in double digits for the fourth time this season.
- Making two 3-pointers, Williams recorded her fifth game this season with two or more 3-pointers
- Williams six rebounds tie her season-high, she also grabbed six against Cal on January 13, 2023.
- USC forced the Bears into 14 turnovers, the 26th time this season the Trojans have forced an opponent into double-digit turnovers.
- USC's 17 offensive rebounds is the 11th time this season it has grabbed 15 or more offensive rebounds.
STANFORD STEALS ONE BACK
No. 25 USC took No. 3 Stanford down to the wire on the Cardinal's home court, coming up just short of forcing overtime in taking a 50-47 loss tonight at Maples Pavilion. The Trojans were looking for their first season sweep of Stanford since 1986-87, but the Cardinal got the breaks it needed to avenge USC's upset of then-No. 2 Stanford last month. The lead changed hands four times in the first half as USC's 3-point game countered inside efforts from the Cardinal. Stanford would stretch out ahead with a late push to end the half, leading it 32-26 at the break on 41-percent shooting from the floor. USC had shot 28 percent from the floor in those first 20 minutes, but was 5-of-11 from 3-point range to keep Stanford in its sights. The Cardinal had the slim lead on the boards, up 21-20 on the rebounding front by halftime. USC would land eight 3-pointers in the game, but came up just one short of forcing overtime against the Cardinal, who finished up shooting 35.6 percent from the floor to outpace USC's season-low 22.2 percent overall. USC and Stanford would match each other with 43 rebounds apiece. USC received a game-high 15 points from Destiny Littleton along with 13 from Okako Adika, while Clarice Akunwafo pulled in a career-high 12 rebounds for the Trojans. Adika and Kayla Williams each hit three 3-pointers for USC. Stanford had seven players score on the night, led by Cameron Brink's 12 points and 10 rebounds. Haley Jones also had 10 boards for the Cardinal.
NOTABLE:
- Stanford's six points in the fourth quarter marked its second fewest points scored in a quarter this season; USC held the Cardinal to four points in the first quarter of the Trojans' victory on January 15, 2023.
- USC held Stanford to a season-low in points scored in a half with 18 points in the second half, its previous low was 19 in the first half against USC on January 15, 2023.
- Stanford's 50 points mark the 13th time USC held an opponent to 50 points or less this season.
- This was USC's first loss of the season when holding an opponent to 58 or fewer points (now 18-1 in those efforts).
- Stanford's 50 points are its second-fewest scored this season; USC held the Cardinal to a season-low 46 on January 15, 2023.
- With 15 points, GS Destiny Littleton scored in double digits for a team-leading 21st time this season and eighth consecutive game.
- With 13 points, GS Okako Adika scored in double digits for the ninth time this season and third consecutive game.
- Making three 3-pointers, Adika has her third game this season with three or more 3-pointers.
- Making three 3-pointers, JR Kayla Williams has her third game this season with three or more 3-pointers.
- Williams' three 3-pointers tied her season-high.
- SO Clarice Akunwafo grabbed a new career-high 12 rebounds
- USC's 20 offensive rebounds are the third time it's grabbed 20 or more offensive rebounds this season.
- GS Kadi Sissoko tied a season high with two blocks.
- Stanford's three 3-pointers made and two steals were both season lows.
- USC's seven turnovers tied a season low, tying its seven turnovers against Stanford on January 15, 2023.
- In both games against the Cardinal this season, USC made more 3-pointers than 2-pointers.
- USC's 22% (14-63) from the field was a season low.
- This was USC's first loss this season when committing fewer turnovers (7) than its opponent (11).
- USC was without its blocks and rebounding leader, SO Rayah Marshall, tonight due to injury.
TOP-2 TAKEDOWN
USC shocked the No. 2 team in the nation, handing Stanford just its second loss of the year as the Trojans never trailed the Cardinal on the way to a 55-46 victory today at Galen Center. It was the first win for USC over a No. 2 opponent since the Trojans topped Stanford at home in 2008 and second win over an AP top-five opponent under head coach Lindsay Gottlieb. The home sweep was anchored by Destiny Littleton, who scored another game-high 18 points to help her Trojans improve to 13-4 overall and to 3-3 in Pac-12 play. USC never trailed in the first half after taking a quick 6-0 lead on Stanford. The Trojans and the Cardinal each shot 29 percent overall in the first twenty minutes, but USC had landed three 3-pointers to just one by Stanford to help lead it 24-19 at halftime. USC was up 20-18 on the boards to that point to help keep the Cardinal at bay. Try as it may, Stanford was unable to shake the Trojans, who built a 10-point lead entering the fourth and found the points they needed to stay in front. By the final buzzer, USC had shot just 27.3 percent from the floor, but was 42.1 percent from 3-point range (8-of-19) to counter the Cardinal's 30.9 percent overall shooting and 4-of-21 effort from beyond the arc. USC committed just seven turnovers to 14 by the Cardinal, who did win out on the boards 40-36. USC received a game-high 18 points from Destiny Littleton along with the first double-double of Okako Adika's season as a Trojan on 11 points and 11 rebounds. USC played just seven Trojans in the game, while Stanford had 13 Cardinal see action, with Cameron Brink the only one in double digits with 11 points and 14 rebounds on the day.
NOTABLE:
- USC defeated a team ranked No. 2 or better for the first time since January 6, 2008 (defeated No. 2 Stanford 73-72).
- USC collected its second victory vs. an AP top-five team under head coach Lindsay Gottlieb (defeated No. 4 Arizona January 9, 2022)
- USC secured its first victory over Stanford since the 2014 Pac-12 Tournament semifinals (March 8), snapping a 14-game losing streak to the Cardinal.
- USC's seven turnovers were a season low.
- Stanford's four points scored in the first quarter marked the 14th time this season that USC has allowed fewer than 10 points in a quarter.
- USC held Stanford to four first-quarter points, the fewest Stanford has scored in a quarter all season.
- USC held Stanford to a season-low halftime score of 19 points.
- USC held Stanford to a season-low 46 points, a season-low 30% (17-55) from the field and a season low 19% (4-21) from three.
- Stanford's 46 points marked the ninth time USC held an opponent under 50 points this season and was the fewest Stanford has scored in a game since 2016.
- USC's eight 3-pointers made were the most against a Pac-12 opponent this season.
- USC's 27% (15-55) from the field is the lowest in program history during a victory.
- USC completed its first home sweep of the Bay Area schools (California and Stanford) since the 2003-04 season.
- The 55-46 win was USC's largest margin of victory over Stanford since a 67-55 home win on January 18, 1993.
- With 18 pts GS Destiny Littleton scored in double digits for the 13th time this season — it was her second straight game with a game-high 18 points.
- RS FR Taylor Bigby tied her career high of three 3-pointers made.
- GS Okako Adika earned her first double-double at USC with 11 pts and 11 rebounds (third career double-double).
SMART START
The USC squad set new academic records with its performance in the classroom in Fall 2022. The group's Fall 2022 semester GPA of 3.344 and cumulative team GPA of 3.329 were the best marks on record for the Women of Troy.
TRANSFER TIME
USC grad transfers Kadi Sissoko and Destiny Littleton have emerged as top impact players in their first season as Trojans. Sissoko and Littleton are averaging 14.7 and 13.9 points per game, respectively. Littleton has provided double digits in a team-high 22 games this season, and Sissoko has done so in 17 games in spite of being sidelined for five games with injuries. Sissoko also has recorded five games with 20+ points and has laid claim to three double-doubles as a Trojan to date. And during her 30-point performance at Cal, Sissoko reached the 1,000-point mark for her career.
RAYAH'S PAC-12 POWER
USC sophomore Rayah Marshall added to her Pac-12 accolades with her earning of All-Pac-12 Preseason Honorable Mention from the media. The top-ranked freshman in the nation in blocks last season, Marshall is back for more in her second year as a Trojan. Marshall earned All-Pac-12 Defensive Honorable Mention last year, and was selected to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team. She was USC's third leading scorer with 11. 3 points per game while dominating the boards with a team-high 7.7 rebounds per game to go along with her 2.54 blocks per game — ranking her No. 12 overall in the nation in that category in 2021-22. So far in her 2022-23 sophomore campaign, Marshall has made an indelible mark with her 33-point outing in USC's win at Oregon State. Averaging 13.5 points and 11.7 rebounds per game to date, she's collected 13 double-doubles this season and is one of the nation's top blockers with her 3.33 blocks per game. She also is the only Pac-12 player to be averaging a double-double this season.
2022-23 TROJANS
The Women of Troy are a dynamic group with solid returning talent along with a powerful group of newcomers. The 2022-23 roster features All-Pac-12 honoree Rayah Marshall and its top 3-point scorer Alyson Miura returning from last season, in addition to seven transfers ready to hit the court in Cardinal and Gold. USC's group of grad transfers features an NCAA champion in Destiny Littleton along with three standout internationals in Kadi Sissoko, Rokia Doumbia and Okako Adika. USC has also welcomed undergraduate transfers Kayla Williams, Koi Love and Taylor Bigby to the Trojan Family.
MID-YEAR MAGIC
USC's backcourt gets another boost with the addition of 5-9 guard Dominique Onu, who has come to Troy as a mid-year transfer from UCLA. After two seasons with the Bruins, the Florida native joined the Trojans in January 2023 and will compete for USC starting in Fall 2023. Ranked as the No. 26 recruit in the nation in 2021, Onu prepped at Blair Academy in New Jersey before signing on with UCLA, where she enrolled early as a true freshman in 2020-21. Onu played in 16 games as a freshman and in 27 with seven starts as a sophomore last season. She averaged 5.4 points per game in her sophomore season and set her career high with 16 points at Oregon. A native of Jacksonville, Fla., Onu helped Blair Academy win the NJISAA State title as a junior in 2020, averaging 15.8 points per game that year.
SIGNED!
JUJU WATKINS | Sierra Canyon HS (Watts, Calif.)
The USC women's basketball program has the stage set for some serious star power with the addition of the nation's top high school player, guard JuJu Watkins, who signed a national letter of intent to join the Women of Troy in 2023. Heralded as the best in the USA, Watkins named the 2022 MaxPreps National Player of the Year as a junior. A native of Watts, Calif., Watkins is sticking to her Los Angeles roots in becoming a Trojan. In addition to her numerous California state accolades, she also brings in significant international experience as a member of the United States U-17 and U-16 national teams. She was named the MVP of the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup in helping Team USA to a gold medal at that event. And in 2021, she was the MVP of the FIBA Americas U16 Championship, where the U.S. squad also won gold. The 6-1 guard has played club ball for Sports Academy Swish GBL. And in her junior season with Sierra Canyon, Watkins piled up state honors as the Gatorade California Girls Basketball Player of the Year, CIF Mc. Basketball State Player of the Year, Los Angeles Times Player of the Year and Los Angeles Daily News Player of the Year in 2022. This month, Watkins also was named a finalist for the 2023 Jersey Mike's Naismith High School Girls Player of the Year Trophy, and she was selected to the 2023 USA Women's Nike Hoop Summit Team.
MALIA SAMUELS | Garfield HS (Seattle, Wash.)
USC gets another guard stronger with the addition of Seattle product Malia Samuels, who signed a national letter of intent to become a Trojan. A 5-6 guard, Samuels was the 2021-22 3A Washington State Player of the Year as a junior. Also named State Tournament MVP that season, she was an All-State First Team honoree. A regular on all-state honor rolls and the 2022 Metro League Player of the Year, she averaged 16.5 points, 6.3 assist, 6.1 steals and 3.4 rebounds per game at the guard slots. At the club level, she has competed for Greyhounds and is considered the top girls basketball recruit out of the state of Washington in this 2023 class. •
Galen Center | Los Angeles, Calif. | Friday, Feb. 23 | 8 p.m.
Series Record (since 1986-87): USC trails 36-37 (W4)
Last Meeting: W 63-54 ot [21/22/23 • Seattle]
Last USC loss: 75-66 [2/21/20 • Seattle]
TV: P12 Los Angeles (Talent: Trey Bender & Maylana Martin Douglas)
STREAM | STATS
USC vs. Washington St. (18-9, 8-8)
Galen Center | Los Angeles, Calif. | Sunday, Feb. 25 | 12 p.m.
Series Record (since 1981-82): USC leads 55-20 (W1)
Last Meeting: W 51-44 [1/20/23 • Pullman]
Last USC loss: 57-54 [2/13/22 • Pullman]
TV: P12 Washington (Talent: Tracy Warren & Tammy Blackburn)
STREAM | STATS
THIS WEEK
USC returns to Galen Center this week for its final home games of the regular season. The Trojans (19-8, 9-7 Pac-12) host Washington (15-11, 7-9) at 8 p.m. on Thursday (Feb. 23) before celebrating their Senior Day before a 12 p.m. clash against Washington State (18-9, 8-8) on Saturday (Feb. 25). USC is looking for a strong finish to conference play in prep for the coming Pac-12 Tournament, running March 1-5 in Las Vegas.
FOLLOW ALONG
Thursday's USC-Washington clash will be broadcast on Pac-12 Networks with Trey Bender and Maylana Martin Douglas on the call. Saturday's game vs. the Cougars will air on Pac-12 Networks with Tracy Warren and Tammy Blackburn on that call. Games will also stream live at pac-12.com/live.
IN THE POLLS
After a week ranked No. 25 in the national AP rankings, USC is receiving votes in both polls this week. USC enters this week rated 28 in the NET rankings.
USC IN THE NATION
USC entered the week ranked as the No. 15 team in the nation in scoring defense, holding teams to an average of 54.9 points per game. The Trojans also are top-20 in three other categories: blocks per game (6th - 5.5 bpg), field goal percentage defense (14th‚ 35.5%) and 3-point percentage defense (16th — 26.4%).
Tammy Blackburn's Buck-a-Board Challenge
In honor of Pac-12 sports programs who have shown their unwavering support, Pac-12 Networks broadcaster Tammy Blackburn is taking on cancer with her Buck-a-Board Challenge to support the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Throughout the month of February, Tammy will donate $1 for every rebound in each game she broadcasts. The mission of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund is to raise money for life saving cancer research, underserved programs that provide access to quality cancer healthcare and unite people in the fight against all cancers affecting women. With a $15,000 goal, Tammy is encouraging coaches, players, family, friends and fans to match her pledge or make a donation of any amount at charity.pledgeit.org/tammyb. #boxoutcancer
TROJANS IN THE NATION
Individually, USC entered the week with players making their marks on the national stat sheets. With 3.33 blocks per game, Rayah Marshall ranks No. 3 in the nation. She's No. 5 in total blocks (80) and No. 19 in total double-doubles with 13. Marshall also is making her mark on the boards, ranked No. 8 with her 11.7 rebounds per game and No. 5 with 8.5 defensive rebounds per game. Another Trojan in the nation's top-25 to date is Destiny Littleton, who ranks 21st with a free-throw percentage of 87.9.
DESTINY DOES IT
Guard Destiny Littleton grabbed her first honor as the Pac-12 Player of the Week after her instrumental role in leading the Trojans to a sweep of the Bay Area schools, topped off with a statement-making upset of No. 2 Stanford at Galen Center. Littleton tallied a game-high 18 points in both wins and served up five assists against Cal and six against Stanford. In the Trojans' 55-46 win over the Cardinal, Littleton played the full 40 minutes to help anchor USC's first win over an opponent ranked No. 2 or better since 2008. USC's upset also snapped the Cardinal's 39-game win streak against Pac-12 opponents. Defensively, USC held Stanford to its lowest point total since 2016. It was USC's largest margin of victory over Stanford since a 12-point win in 1993. Littleton recorded double digits in three straight game to help earn her status as the second Trojan to be named Pac-12 Player of the Week this season and 52nd all-time, following teammate Rayah Marshall's win on Jan. 2.
RAYAH REIGNS AS PAC-12 PLAYER OF THE WEEK
USC sophomore Rayah Marshall was the driving force for the Trojans in a key Pac-12 road split, ringing in the new year with her first career selection as the Pac-12 Player of the Week on Jan. 2. The versatile forward made her mark in the USC history books with the most points scored by a Trojan since 2019 when she pinned up a career-high 33 points in the Trojans' win at Oregon State on Dec. 30. She'd haul in 16 rebounds in that one and keep her blocks streak alive and well with four in USC's victory. It was the just the seventh 30-point and 15-rebound double-double by any player in the NCAA this season and the first such outing by a Trojan since at least 1999-2000. Marshall also accounted for 16 of USC's 18 points in the fourth quarter against the Beavers and had over half USC's total team rebounds in the win. At No. 17 Oregon on New Year's Day, Marshall continued her blocks streak in stretching her run to 34 straight games with at least one block while also tallying her fifth consecutive double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. It is the first career Pac-12 Player of the Week honor for Marshall and the 51st overall for the Women of Troy all-time.
BATTLE IN BERKELEY
It was an all-out battle in Berkeley as No. 25 USC was edged out in overtime 81-78 by host California after 18 lead changes and 23 ties. USC's Kadi Sissoko broke the 1,000-point career scoring mark along the way with her 30-point outing, but the Bears were able to emerge with the Pac-12 win in spite of Sissoko's scoring strength. USC and Cal were largely in lockstep throughout the first half, trading the lead 12 times and winding up snarled at 36-36 at halftime. The Trojans were shooting 46.4 percent from the floor in those first 20 minutes with four 3-pointers landed along the way. Cal nailed six threes in the first half and shot 43.3 overall while leading on the boards 18-16 by the break. The battle raged on, and the teams wound up level on the boards 42-42 and almost even in scoring. Cal finished up shooting 40.3 percent overall with eight 3-pointers landed to edge out USC's 39.7 percent effort with seven threes nailed. Kadi Sissoko led all scorers with 30 points — a season high for her as she finished out the game holding 1,015 career points — with Rayah Marshall adding 14 points and Kayla Williams and Destiny Littleton at 13 points apiece. Cal was paced by Jayda Curry's 27 points, along with 15 from Kemery Martín and 14 from Evelien Lute Schipholt.
NOTABLE:
- With a season-high 30 points, GS Kadi Sissoko scored in double digits for the 17th time this season, her fifth time with 20 points or more.
- Making a layup with 9:45 left in the third quarter, Sissoko surpassed 1,000 career points. She finished the game with 1,015 career points.
- With three blocks, SO Rayah Marshall has recorded at least one block in 47 consecutive games played, her fifth consecutive game with three blocks or more.
- Marshall now holds 80 blocks this season — fourth most by a Trojan in a single season in program history (ties Cheryl Miller's 1984-85 total).
- During Marshall's five straight games with three blocks or more, she's averaged 4.6 blocks per contest.
- With 14 points, Marshall scored in double digits for the 17th time this season.
- Grabbing nine rebounds along with her 14 points, Marshall's eight-game streak of double-digit rebounds was snapped. During the streak, she averaged 14.5 rebounds per contest.
- With 13 points, GS Destiny Littleton scored in double digits for a team-leading 22nd time this season and ninth consecutive game.
- During Littleton's nine consecutive games in double digits, she has averaged 18 points per contest.
- Making two 3-pointers, GS Okako Adika recorded her 12th game this season with two or more 3-pointers and her fourth consecutive such effort.
- With 13 points, JR Kayla Williams scored in double digits for the fourth time this season.
- Making two 3-pointers, Williams recorded her fifth game this season with two or more 3-pointers
- Williams six rebounds tie her season-high, she also grabbed six against Cal on January 13, 2023.
- USC forced the Bears into 14 turnovers, the 26th time this season the Trojans have forced an opponent into double-digit turnovers.
- USC's 17 offensive rebounds is the 11th time this season it has grabbed 15 or more offensive rebounds.
STANFORD STEALS ONE BACK
No. 25 USC took No. 3 Stanford down to the wire on the Cardinal's home court, coming up just short of forcing overtime in taking a 50-47 loss tonight at Maples Pavilion. The Trojans were looking for their first season sweep of Stanford since 1986-87, but the Cardinal got the breaks it needed to avenge USC's upset of then-No. 2 Stanford last month. The lead changed hands four times in the first half as USC's 3-point game countered inside efforts from the Cardinal. Stanford would stretch out ahead with a late push to end the half, leading it 32-26 at the break on 41-percent shooting from the floor. USC had shot 28 percent from the floor in those first 20 minutes, but was 5-of-11 from 3-point range to keep Stanford in its sights. The Cardinal had the slim lead on the boards, up 21-20 on the rebounding front by halftime. USC would land eight 3-pointers in the game, but came up just one short of forcing overtime against the Cardinal, who finished up shooting 35.6 percent from the floor to outpace USC's season-low 22.2 percent overall. USC and Stanford would match each other with 43 rebounds apiece. USC received a game-high 15 points from Destiny Littleton along with 13 from Okako Adika, while Clarice Akunwafo pulled in a career-high 12 rebounds for the Trojans. Adika and Kayla Williams each hit three 3-pointers for USC. Stanford had seven players score on the night, led by Cameron Brink's 12 points and 10 rebounds. Haley Jones also had 10 boards for the Cardinal.
NOTABLE:
- Stanford's six points in the fourth quarter marked its second fewest points scored in a quarter this season; USC held the Cardinal to four points in the first quarter of the Trojans' victory on January 15, 2023.
- USC held Stanford to a season-low in points scored in a half with 18 points in the second half, its previous low was 19 in the first half against USC on January 15, 2023.
- Stanford's 50 points mark the 13th time USC held an opponent to 50 points or less this season.
- This was USC's first loss of the season when holding an opponent to 58 or fewer points (now 18-1 in those efforts).
- Stanford's 50 points are its second-fewest scored this season; USC held the Cardinal to a season-low 46 on January 15, 2023.
- With 15 points, GS Destiny Littleton scored in double digits for a team-leading 21st time this season and eighth consecutive game.
- With 13 points, GS Okako Adika scored in double digits for the ninth time this season and third consecutive game.
- Making three 3-pointers, Adika has her third game this season with three or more 3-pointers.
- Making three 3-pointers, JR Kayla Williams has her third game this season with three or more 3-pointers.
- Williams' three 3-pointers tied her season-high.
- SO Clarice Akunwafo grabbed a new career-high 12 rebounds
- USC's 20 offensive rebounds are the third time it's grabbed 20 or more offensive rebounds this season.
- GS Kadi Sissoko tied a season high with two blocks.
- Stanford's three 3-pointers made and two steals were both season lows.
- USC's seven turnovers tied a season low, tying its seven turnovers against Stanford on January 15, 2023.
- In both games against the Cardinal this season, USC made more 3-pointers than 2-pointers.
- USC's 22% (14-63) from the field was a season low.
- This was USC's first loss this season when committing fewer turnovers (7) than its opponent (11).
- USC was without its blocks and rebounding leader, SO Rayah Marshall, tonight due to injury.
TOP-2 TAKEDOWN
USC shocked the No. 2 team in the nation, handing Stanford just its second loss of the year as the Trojans never trailed the Cardinal on the way to a 55-46 victory today at Galen Center. It was the first win for USC over a No. 2 opponent since the Trojans topped Stanford at home in 2008 and second win over an AP top-five opponent under head coach Lindsay Gottlieb. The home sweep was anchored by Destiny Littleton, who scored another game-high 18 points to help her Trojans improve to 13-4 overall and to 3-3 in Pac-12 play. USC never trailed in the first half after taking a quick 6-0 lead on Stanford. The Trojans and the Cardinal each shot 29 percent overall in the first twenty minutes, but USC had landed three 3-pointers to just one by Stanford to help lead it 24-19 at halftime. USC was up 20-18 on the boards to that point to help keep the Cardinal at bay. Try as it may, Stanford was unable to shake the Trojans, who built a 10-point lead entering the fourth and found the points they needed to stay in front. By the final buzzer, USC had shot just 27.3 percent from the floor, but was 42.1 percent from 3-point range (8-of-19) to counter the Cardinal's 30.9 percent overall shooting and 4-of-21 effort from beyond the arc. USC committed just seven turnovers to 14 by the Cardinal, who did win out on the boards 40-36. USC received a game-high 18 points from Destiny Littleton along with the first double-double of Okako Adika's season as a Trojan on 11 points and 11 rebounds. USC played just seven Trojans in the game, while Stanford had 13 Cardinal see action, with Cameron Brink the only one in double digits with 11 points and 14 rebounds on the day.
NOTABLE:
- USC defeated a team ranked No. 2 or better for the first time since January 6, 2008 (defeated No. 2 Stanford 73-72).
- USC collected its second victory vs. an AP top-five team under head coach Lindsay Gottlieb (defeated No. 4 Arizona January 9, 2022)
- USC secured its first victory over Stanford since the 2014 Pac-12 Tournament semifinals (March 8), snapping a 14-game losing streak to the Cardinal.
- USC's seven turnovers were a season low.
- Stanford's four points scored in the first quarter marked the 14th time this season that USC has allowed fewer than 10 points in a quarter.
- USC held Stanford to four first-quarter points, the fewest Stanford has scored in a quarter all season.
- USC held Stanford to a season-low halftime score of 19 points.
- USC held Stanford to a season-low 46 points, a season-low 30% (17-55) from the field and a season low 19% (4-21) from three.
- Stanford's 46 points marked the ninth time USC held an opponent under 50 points this season and was the fewest Stanford has scored in a game since 2016.
- USC's eight 3-pointers made were the most against a Pac-12 opponent this season.
- USC's 27% (15-55) from the field is the lowest in program history during a victory.
- USC completed its first home sweep of the Bay Area schools (California and Stanford) since the 2003-04 season.
- The 55-46 win was USC's largest margin of victory over Stanford since a 67-55 home win on January 18, 1993.
- With 18 pts GS Destiny Littleton scored in double digits for the 13th time this season — it was her second straight game with a game-high 18 points.
- RS FR Taylor Bigby tied her career high of three 3-pointers made.
- GS Okako Adika earned her first double-double at USC with 11 pts and 11 rebounds (third career double-double).
SMART START
The USC squad set new academic records with its performance in the classroom in Fall 2022. The group's Fall 2022 semester GPA of 3.344 and cumulative team GPA of 3.329 were the best marks on record for the Women of Troy.
TRANSFER TIME
USC grad transfers Kadi Sissoko and Destiny Littleton have emerged as top impact players in their first season as Trojans. Sissoko and Littleton are averaging 14.7 and 13.9 points per game, respectively. Littleton has provided double digits in a team-high 22 games this season, and Sissoko has done so in 17 games in spite of being sidelined for five games with injuries. Sissoko also has recorded five games with 20+ points and has laid claim to three double-doubles as a Trojan to date. And during her 30-point performance at Cal, Sissoko reached the 1,000-point mark for her career.
RAYAH'S PAC-12 POWER
USC sophomore Rayah Marshall added to her Pac-12 accolades with her earning of All-Pac-12 Preseason Honorable Mention from the media. The top-ranked freshman in the nation in blocks last season, Marshall is back for more in her second year as a Trojan. Marshall earned All-Pac-12 Defensive Honorable Mention last year, and was selected to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team. She was USC's third leading scorer with 11. 3 points per game while dominating the boards with a team-high 7.7 rebounds per game to go along with her 2.54 blocks per game — ranking her No. 12 overall in the nation in that category in 2021-22. So far in her 2022-23 sophomore campaign, Marshall has made an indelible mark with her 33-point outing in USC's win at Oregon State. Averaging 13.5 points and 11.7 rebounds per game to date, she's collected 13 double-doubles this season and is one of the nation's top blockers with her 3.33 blocks per game. She also is the only Pac-12 player to be averaging a double-double this season.
2022-23 TROJANS
The Women of Troy are a dynamic group with solid returning talent along with a powerful group of newcomers. The 2022-23 roster features All-Pac-12 honoree Rayah Marshall and its top 3-point scorer Alyson Miura returning from last season, in addition to seven transfers ready to hit the court in Cardinal and Gold. USC's group of grad transfers features an NCAA champion in Destiny Littleton along with three standout internationals in Kadi Sissoko, Rokia Doumbia and Okako Adika. USC has also welcomed undergraduate transfers Kayla Williams, Koi Love and Taylor Bigby to the Trojan Family.
MID-YEAR MAGIC
USC's backcourt gets another boost with the addition of 5-9 guard Dominique Onu, who has come to Troy as a mid-year transfer from UCLA. After two seasons with the Bruins, the Florida native joined the Trojans in January 2023 and will compete for USC starting in Fall 2023. Ranked as the No. 26 recruit in the nation in 2021, Onu prepped at Blair Academy in New Jersey before signing on with UCLA, where she enrolled early as a true freshman in 2020-21. Onu played in 16 games as a freshman and in 27 with seven starts as a sophomore last season. She averaged 5.4 points per game in her sophomore season and set her career high with 16 points at Oregon. A native of Jacksonville, Fla., Onu helped Blair Academy win the NJISAA State title as a junior in 2020, averaging 15.8 points per game that year.
SIGNED!
JUJU WATKINS | Sierra Canyon HS (Watts, Calif.)
The USC women's basketball program has the stage set for some serious star power with the addition of the nation's top high school player, guard JuJu Watkins, who signed a national letter of intent to join the Women of Troy in 2023. Heralded as the best in the USA, Watkins named the 2022 MaxPreps National Player of the Year as a junior. A native of Watts, Calif., Watkins is sticking to her Los Angeles roots in becoming a Trojan. In addition to her numerous California state accolades, she also brings in significant international experience as a member of the United States U-17 and U-16 national teams. She was named the MVP of the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup in helping Team USA to a gold medal at that event. And in 2021, she was the MVP of the FIBA Americas U16 Championship, where the U.S. squad also won gold. The 6-1 guard has played club ball for Sports Academy Swish GBL. And in her junior season with Sierra Canyon, Watkins piled up state honors as the Gatorade California Girls Basketball Player of the Year, CIF Mc. Basketball State Player of the Year, Los Angeles Times Player of the Year and Los Angeles Daily News Player of the Year in 2022. This month, Watkins also was named a finalist for the 2023 Jersey Mike's Naismith High School Girls Player of the Year Trophy, and she was selected to the 2023 USA Women's Nike Hoop Summit Team.
MALIA SAMUELS | Garfield HS (Seattle, Wash.)
USC gets another guard stronger with the addition of Seattle product Malia Samuels, who signed a national letter of intent to become a Trojan. A 5-6 guard, Samuels was the 2021-22 3A Washington State Player of the Year as a junior. Also named State Tournament MVP that season, she was an All-State First Team honoree. A regular on all-state honor rolls and the 2022 Metro League Player of the Year, she averaged 16.5 points, 6.3 assist, 6.1 steals and 3.4 rebounds per game at the guard slots. At the club level, she has competed for Greyhounds and is considered the top girls basketball recruit out of the state of Washington in this 2023 class. •
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
USC WBB Defeats Kansas State in Sweet 16, Advances to Elite Eight | Trojan Press Conference
Saturday, March 29
