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Photo by: John McGillen
USC Women’s Basketball Takes 21 Wins, No. 6 Seed Into 2023 Pac-12 Tournament
February 28, 2023 | Women's Basketball
Trojans open up against Oregon State on Wednesday night in Las Vegas to start their postseason path.
THIS WEEK
USC (21-8) has secured the No. 6 seed into the upcoming 2023 Pac-12 Tournament, which runs March 1-5 at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas. USC will face Oregon State (12-17) in the first round at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday (March 1). A win there would put the Trojans up against No. 19 Colorado (22-7) in the quarterfinals at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday (March 2). The winner of that game goes on to an 8:30 p.m. semifinal game on Friday (March 3), with the championship game held at 2 p.m. on Sunday (March 5).
USC (21-8) has secured the No. 6 seed into the upcoming 2023 Pac-12 Tournament, which runs March 1-5 at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas. USC will face Oregon State (12-17) in the first round at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday (March 1). A win there would put the Trojans up against No. 19 Colorado (22-7) in the quarterfinals at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday (March 2). The winner of that game goes on to an 8:30 p.m. semifinal game on Friday (March 3), with the championship game held at 2 p.m. on Sunday (March 5).
FOLLOW ALONG
USC's competition at the Pac-12 Tournament will air live on Pac-12 Networks, with Krista Blunk and Mary Murphy on the calls for the first round, quarterfinals and semifinal games in which USC could appear. Games will also stream live at pac-12.com/live. The championship game will air on ESPN2 with Eric Frede and Christy Thomaskutty calling that game.
IN THE POLLS
USC spent one week ranked No. 25 in the national AP rankings — its first AP ranking since 2016. Currently, USC is receiving votes in both polls this week. USC enters this week rated 30 in the NET rankings.
USC IN THE NATION
USC entered the week ranked as the No. 16 team in the nation in scoring defense, holding teams to an average of 54.8 points per game. The Trojans also are top-20 in three other categories: blocks per game (5th - 5.7 bpg), field goal percentage defense (15th‚ 35.5%) and 3-point percentage defense (26th — 27.3%).
TROJANS IN THE NATION
Individually, USC entered the week with players making their marks on the national stat sheets. With 3.42 blocks per game, Rayah Marshall ranks No. 3 in the nation. She's No. 4 in total blocks (89) and No. 24 in total double-doubles with 13. Marshall also is making her mark on the boards, ranked No. 8 with her 11.5 rebounds per game and No. 7 with 8.4 defensive rebounds per game. Another Trojan in the nation's top-30 to date is Destiny Littleton, who ranks 26th with a free-throw percentage of 87.4.
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.
LAST ACTION
USC won a wild one to wrap the regular season, clawing back from a 19-point deficit and forcing two overtimes against visiting Washington State before the Trojans netted its first lead and then claimed the 68-65 comeback at Galen Center. USC shrugged off a meager offensive effort and exploded with 21 points in the fourth quarter while holding the Cougars to just nine in that frame to build some long-awaited momentum on Senior Day. An 11-0 run by Washington State exemplified the trends of the first half, as the Cougars were hot and the Trojans were cold on the offensive ends. WSU was shooting 56.5 percent from the floor in the first half, including a 6-of-12 effort from 3-point range to help build out a 32-16 lead at the break. USC was struggling to find buckets, shooting 17.6 percent from the floor in those first 20 minutes, while the teams were even on the boards 18-18 to that point. USC was down by 12 points entering the fourth, which is where the Trojan turnaround took place. USC shot 60 percent from the floor in the fourth while WSU went 3-of-11 as the Trojans pushed back to force overtime. By the time the buzzer sounded on USC's double-OT win, the Trojans had shot 29.6 percent overall to WSU's 43.9 percent. USC led on the boards 45-33 in the end, and went 22-of-25 from the free-throw line while the Cougars were 6-of-11 from the stripe. USC was led by Kadi Sissoko's third double-double as a Trojan on a game-high 18 points and 13 rebounds. Destiny Littleton contributed 14 points, joined by Rokia Doumbia's 13 points and 11 from Taylor Bigby. WSU received 17 points apiece from Bella Murekatete and Charlisse Leger-Walker, who also pulled in 10 rebounds. WSU's Johanna Teder added 14 points with four 3-pointers made for the Cougars. It took a few minutes, but USC would find its scoring touch midway through the first frame to help pull out of a 7-2 hole. A 3-pointer from Destiny Littleton gave the Trojans some life, and USC would score the last six points of the quarter to trail WSU 12-11 after 10 minutes of action. In the second, USC again struggled to find a bucket, while the Cougars made a 7-0 surge to lead it 21-12. Rayah Marshall broke through with a jumper at 5:15, only to see WSU strike off on an 11-0 run that included a trio of 3-pointers to lead it 32-14 at 1:19. WIth 30 seconds to go, Rokia Doumbia broke USC's silence with a putback, and it was a 32-16 margin at halftime. WSU found a couple more key threes to craft a 41-22 lead midway through the third before Rokia Doumbia delivered a three for the Trojans to help the hosts get a boost. By the close of the third, USC had the deficit at 12. The fourth frame unfurled with the Trojans making moves. Doumbia struck first, Taylor Bigby broke through next, and then Littleton drained a three to get the hosts in reach, down 44-39 with 7:45 on the clock. Doumbia dumped in four free throws around a steal to get USC within three, and a few minutes later the Trojans had it locked up at 48-48 with 2:05 remaining thanks to buckets from Littleton and Sissoko. Entering the final minute, WSU gripped a 52-49 lead. A take to the hoop from Bigby had USC within two at 53-51 with 36 ticks to go. Soon after she'd level it from the free-throw when Sissoko forced a WSU turnover. Bigby picked it up and was fouled, prompting her trip to the line to snarl things up 53-53 with 15 seconds on the clock. WSU would get a good look, but missed it to bring up overtime at Galen Center. USC had to play catchup in OT, but was up to the challenge again. When WSU went up 60-57 with 1:40 to go, Bigby found Adika for a 3-pointer that equalized things again, locked at 60-60 with 1:08 on the clock. Neither team could break through in the next stretch, and a second overtime was next on the agenda. USC's first lead of the game came care of Adika, who knocked down two free throws for a 62-60 USC lead at 3:02. A strike from Sissoko had USC up 64-62 at 2:10, but WSU got back on top with a 3-pointer at 1:40, up 65-64. Sissoko struck back, tugging the Trojans ahead 66-65 at 1:10. The USC defense dug in from there, and Doumbia hauled in a defensive board and found a streaking Sissoko for the finish and a 68-65 USC advantage with five seconds left. WSU's look at the equalizer failed, and the Trojans emerged victorious.
NOTABLE:
- Now at 21-8 overall, USC has its best record through 29 games since 1993-94 (26-3), and has won its most games in a season since 2013-14 (22-13)
- USC outrebounded its opponent for the 15th time this season
- The Trojans trailed by 19 with 4:29 remaining in the third quarter, outscoring the Cougars 46-24 the remainder of the game.
- 19 points is the largest deficit USC has come back from to win this season.
- With three blocks, SO Rayah Marshall has recorded at least one block in 49 consecutive games played, her seventh consecutive game with three blocks or more.
- During Marshall's seven straight games with three blocks or more, she's averaged 4.57 blocks per contest.
- Now with 89 blocks this season, sophomore Marshall has broken Cheryl Miller's USC sophomore record of 82 (1984).
- Marshall's 89 blocks is the third most by a Trojan in a single season.
- USC's 16 points in the first half were the fewest it has scored in a half this season.
- With 18 points and a season-high 13 rebounds, GS Kadi Sissoko earned her fourth double-double of the season.
- Sissoko's 18 points mark the 19th time she's scored in double digits.
- Over the last three games Sissoko is averaging 22.3 points per game.
- With 14 points, GS Destiny Littleton scored in double digits for a team-leading 24th time this season and 11th consecutive game.
- During Littleton's 11 consecutive games in double digits, she has averaged 17.3 points per contest.
- WIth 13 points, GS Rokia Doumbia scored in double digits for the second time this season.
- With 11 points, FR Taylor Bigby scored in double digits for the third time this season.
- Making all seven of her free-throw attempts, Bigby set new career highs in both makes and attempts.
- USC forced the Cougars into 23 turnovers, the 28th time this season the Trojans have forced an opponent into double-digit turnovers; only opponent with less than 10 was UCLA with eight on Dec. 15, 2022.
- Washington State's 23 turnovers mark the 11th time USC has forced an opponent into 20 turnovers or more.
- USC's 12 steals mark the 12th time this season with 10 or more steals.
- Washington State's nine points in the fourth quarter marks the 23rd time this season that USC has allowed fewer than 10 points in a quarter; USC has held their opponents to less than 10 points in 20% of quarters played this season.
- USC improves to 3-2 in overtime wins this season
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 15.6 and 13.9 points per game, respectively. Littleton has provided double digits in a team-high 24 games this season, and Sissoko has done so in 19 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 four 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 12.9 points and 11.5 rebounds per game to date, she's collected 13 double-doubles this season and is one of the nation's top blockers with her 3.42 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's competition at the Pac-12 Tournament will air live on Pac-12 Networks, with Krista Blunk and Mary Murphy on the calls for the first round, quarterfinals and semifinal games in which USC could appear. Games will also stream live at pac-12.com/live. The championship game will air on ESPN2 with Eric Frede and Christy Thomaskutty calling that game.
IN THE POLLS
USC spent one week ranked No. 25 in the national AP rankings — its first AP ranking since 2016. Currently, USC is receiving votes in both polls this week. USC enters this week rated 30 in the NET rankings.
USC IN THE NATION
USC entered the week ranked as the No. 16 team in the nation in scoring defense, holding teams to an average of 54.8 points per game. The Trojans also are top-20 in three other categories: blocks per game (5th - 5.7 bpg), field goal percentage defense (15th‚ 35.5%) and 3-point percentage defense (26th — 27.3%).
TROJANS IN THE NATION
Individually, USC entered the week with players making their marks on the national stat sheets. With 3.42 blocks per game, Rayah Marshall ranks No. 3 in the nation. She's No. 4 in total blocks (89) and No. 24 in total double-doubles with 13. Marshall also is making her mark on the boards, ranked No. 8 with her 11.5 rebounds per game and No. 7 with 8.4 defensive rebounds per game. Another Trojan in the nation's top-30 to date is Destiny Littleton, who ranks 26th with a free-throw percentage of 87.4.
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.
LAST ACTION
USC won a wild one to wrap the regular season, clawing back from a 19-point deficit and forcing two overtimes against visiting Washington State before the Trojans netted its first lead and then claimed the 68-65 comeback at Galen Center. USC shrugged off a meager offensive effort and exploded with 21 points in the fourth quarter while holding the Cougars to just nine in that frame to build some long-awaited momentum on Senior Day. An 11-0 run by Washington State exemplified the trends of the first half, as the Cougars were hot and the Trojans were cold on the offensive ends. WSU was shooting 56.5 percent from the floor in the first half, including a 6-of-12 effort from 3-point range to help build out a 32-16 lead at the break. USC was struggling to find buckets, shooting 17.6 percent from the floor in those first 20 minutes, while the teams were even on the boards 18-18 to that point. USC was down by 12 points entering the fourth, which is where the Trojan turnaround took place. USC shot 60 percent from the floor in the fourth while WSU went 3-of-11 as the Trojans pushed back to force overtime. By the time the buzzer sounded on USC's double-OT win, the Trojans had shot 29.6 percent overall to WSU's 43.9 percent. USC led on the boards 45-33 in the end, and went 22-of-25 from the free-throw line while the Cougars were 6-of-11 from the stripe. USC was led by Kadi Sissoko's third double-double as a Trojan on a game-high 18 points and 13 rebounds. Destiny Littleton contributed 14 points, joined by Rokia Doumbia's 13 points and 11 from Taylor Bigby. WSU received 17 points apiece from Bella Murekatete and Charlisse Leger-Walker, who also pulled in 10 rebounds. WSU's Johanna Teder added 14 points with four 3-pointers made for the Cougars. It took a few minutes, but USC would find its scoring touch midway through the first frame to help pull out of a 7-2 hole. A 3-pointer from Destiny Littleton gave the Trojans some life, and USC would score the last six points of the quarter to trail WSU 12-11 after 10 minutes of action. In the second, USC again struggled to find a bucket, while the Cougars made a 7-0 surge to lead it 21-12. Rayah Marshall broke through with a jumper at 5:15, only to see WSU strike off on an 11-0 run that included a trio of 3-pointers to lead it 32-14 at 1:19. WIth 30 seconds to go, Rokia Doumbia broke USC's silence with a putback, and it was a 32-16 margin at halftime. WSU found a couple more key threes to craft a 41-22 lead midway through the third before Rokia Doumbia delivered a three for the Trojans to help the hosts get a boost. By the close of the third, USC had the deficit at 12. The fourth frame unfurled with the Trojans making moves. Doumbia struck first, Taylor Bigby broke through next, and then Littleton drained a three to get the hosts in reach, down 44-39 with 7:45 on the clock. Doumbia dumped in four free throws around a steal to get USC within three, and a few minutes later the Trojans had it locked up at 48-48 with 2:05 remaining thanks to buckets from Littleton and Sissoko. Entering the final minute, WSU gripped a 52-49 lead. A take to the hoop from Bigby had USC within two at 53-51 with 36 ticks to go. Soon after she'd level it from the free-throw when Sissoko forced a WSU turnover. Bigby picked it up and was fouled, prompting her trip to the line to snarl things up 53-53 with 15 seconds on the clock. WSU would get a good look, but missed it to bring up overtime at Galen Center. USC had to play catchup in OT, but was up to the challenge again. When WSU went up 60-57 with 1:40 to go, Bigby found Adika for a 3-pointer that equalized things again, locked at 60-60 with 1:08 on the clock. Neither team could break through in the next stretch, and a second overtime was next on the agenda. USC's first lead of the game came care of Adika, who knocked down two free throws for a 62-60 USC lead at 3:02. A strike from Sissoko had USC up 64-62 at 2:10, but WSU got back on top with a 3-pointer at 1:40, up 65-64. Sissoko struck back, tugging the Trojans ahead 66-65 at 1:10. The USC defense dug in from there, and Doumbia hauled in a defensive board and found a streaking Sissoko for the finish and a 68-65 USC advantage with five seconds left. WSU's look at the equalizer failed, and the Trojans emerged victorious.
NOTABLE:
- Now at 21-8 overall, USC has its best record through 29 games since 1993-94 (26-3), and has won its most games in a season since 2013-14 (22-13)
- USC outrebounded its opponent for the 15th time this season
- The Trojans trailed by 19 with 4:29 remaining in the third quarter, outscoring the Cougars 46-24 the remainder of the game.
- 19 points is the largest deficit USC has come back from to win this season.
- With three blocks, SO Rayah Marshall has recorded at least one block in 49 consecutive games played, her seventh consecutive game with three blocks or more.
- During Marshall's seven straight games with three blocks or more, she's averaged 4.57 blocks per contest.
- Now with 89 blocks this season, sophomore Marshall has broken Cheryl Miller's USC sophomore record of 82 (1984).
- Marshall's 89 blocks is the third most by a Trojan in a single season.
- USC's 16 points in the first half were the fewest it has scored in a half this season.
- With 18 points and a season-high 13 rebounds, GS Kadi Sissoko earned her fourth double-double of the season.
- Sissoko's 18 points mark the 19th time she's scored in double digits.
- Over the last three games Sissoko is averaging 22.3 points per game.
- With 14 points, GS Destiny Littleton scored in double digits for a team-leading 24th time this season and 11th consecutive game.
- During Littleton's 11 consecutive games in double digits, she has averaged 17.3 points per contest.
- WIth 13 points, GS Rokia Doumbia scored in double digits for the second time this season.
- With 11 points, FR Taylor Bigby scored in double digits for the third time this season.
- Making all seven of her free-throw attempts, Bigby set new career highs in both makes and attempts.
- USC forced the Cougars into 23 turnovers, the 28th time this season the Trojans have forced an opponent into double-digit turnovers; only opponent with less than 10 was UCLA with eight on Dec. 15, 2022.
- Washington State's 23 turnovers mark the 11th time USC has forced an opponent into 20 turnovers or more.
- USC's 12 steals mark the 12th time this season with 10 or more steals.
- Washington State's nine points in the fourth quarter marks the 23rd time this season that USC has allowed fewer than 10 points in a quarter; USC has held their opponents to less than 10 points in 20% of quarters played this season.
- USC improves to 3-2 in overtime wins this season
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 15.6 and 13.9 points per game, respectively. Littleton has provided double digits in a team-high 24 games this season, and Sissoko has done so in 19 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 four 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 12.9 points and 11.5 rebounds per game to date, she's collected 13 double-doubles this season and is one of the nation's top blockers with her 3.42 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. •
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