University Southern California Trojans
Friday, November 21
South Bend, Ind.
3:00 p.m.
USC
3-2,0-0Big Ten
59
at
61
Notre Dame
4-1,0-0ACC
1
2
3
4
F
Southern California
14
19
18
8
59
Notre Dame
15
16
15
15
61
Photo by: Katie Chin/USC Athletics
No. 11 USC Comes Up Short Against No. 24 Notre Dame
November 21, 2025 | Women's Basketball
Trojans Fall 61-59 in South Bend to Fighting Irish.
SOUTH BEND, Ind. - USC led for more than 27 minutes and held an 11-point second-half advantage, but the Women of Troy were edged 61–59 on the road after a final-second jumper boosted Notre Dame to a 61-59 win at Purcell Pavilion. Senior guard Kara Dunn powered USC with a season-best 21 points on 8-for-11 shooting (4-for-5 from three) and added five rebounds, setting season highs in both made field goals and made threes.
The Trojans opened the game with strong defensive pressure, forcing four early turnovers and generating transition baskets, including a three from Malia Samuels and key stops from Jazzy Davidson, who blocked a layup and later beat the buzzer to bring USC within one at 15–14 after the first period. The Trojans continued building momentum in the second period as Dunn drilled an early three and Samuels scored on the break to reclaim the lead. USC's defense created seven Notre Dame turnovers in the quarter, and Davidson added a driving finish and a long three as the Trojans took a 33–31 lead into halftime. Through the first two periods, USC doubled the Irish in paint points (16–8) and led in points off turnovers (11–7), fast-break points (10–6) and bench points (6–0), with five lead changes and four ties.
USC delivered its strongest stretch coming out of halftime, fueled by Dunn's dominance. The senior scored 12 points in the third quarter alone, going a perfect 4-for-4 from the floor and 3-for-3 from deep. Her shot-making pushed USC ahead by as many as 11 points (51–40), the team's largest lead of the night. Davidson added timely transition baskets, while Kennedy Smith contributed with inside scoring and a handful of boards. Smith finished with nine points, five rebounds and a game-high five assists, while Davidson posted a standout all-around line with 14 points, a team-high eight rebounds, four steals, three blocks and three assists.
Notre Dame, however, chipped away in the fourth as USC's offense stalled. The Trojans scored just eight points in the final frame, its lowest-scoring quarter of the season. The Irish surged behind KK Bransford and Hannah Hidalgo, eventually tying the game multiple times. After Davidson hit a clutch three to even the score at 57–57, Dunn responded again with a midrange jumper to put USC ahead 59–57 with 1:38 remaining. Notre Dame countered with a 4–0 run, converting a tying layup in the final minute before Hidalgo knocked down a contested jumper with two seconds left to hand USC the narrow loss.
The Trojans now return to the Galen Center for a pair of home games this week against Tennessee Tech on Tuesday at 7 p.m. and a matinee against Pepperdine on Friday at 2 p.m. PT.
NOTES:
- USC changed up its starting lineup for the first time in three games as Vivian Iwuchukwu, Jazzy Davidson, Malia Samuels, Kennedy Smith and Kara Dunn.
- SR Kara Dunn dropped a season-best and USC game--high 21 points (8-for-11 FG, 4-for-5 3PT, 1-for-1 FT) against Notre Dame, also contributing five rebounds. The guard's eight made field goals and four made three-pointers were also season bests.
- FR Jazzy Davidson notched a team-high eight rebounds, four steals and three blocks with a team-high +6 rating. She also tallied 14 points and three assists. Davidson's four steals were a season high
- SO Kennedy Smith recorded a team-high five assists. The guard also scored nine points (3-for-4 FT) and had five rebounds
- USC's largest lead of the game was 11 points and came in the third quarter
- USC's 21 turnovers were the most in a game this season
- USC's eight points in the fourth quarter were the lowest total in a game this season
- The Trojans are now 2-10 all-time against the Fighting Irish
The Trojans opened the game with strong defensive pressure, forcing four early turnovers and generating transition baskets, including a three from Malia Samuels and key stops from Jazzy Davidson, who blocked a layup and later beat the buzzer to bring USC within one at 15–14 after the first period. The Trojans continued building momentum in the second period as Dunn drilled an early three and Samuels scored on the break to reclaim the lead. USC's defense created seven Notre Dame turnovers in the quarter, and Davidson added a driving finish and a long three as the Trojans took a 33–31 lead into halftime. Through the first two periods, USC doubled the Irish in paint points (16–8) and led in points off turnovers (11–7), fast-break points (10–6) and bench points (6–0), with five lead changes and four ties.
USC delivered its strongest stretch coming out of halftime, fueled by Dunn's dominance. The senior scored 12 points in the third quarter alone, going a perfect 4-for-4 from the floor and 3-for-3 from deep. Her shot-making pushed USC ahead by as many as 11 points (51–40), the team's largest lead of the night. Davidson added timely transition baskets, while Kennedy Smith contributed with inside scoring and a handful of boards. Smith finished with nine points, five rebounds and a game-high five assists, while Davidson posted a standout all-around line with 14 points, a team-high eight rebounds, four steals, three blocks and three assists.
Notre Dame, however, chipped away in the fourth as USC's offense stalled. The Trojans scored just eight points in the final frame, its lowest-scoring quarter of the season. The Irish surged behind KK Bransford and Hannah Hidalgo, eventually tying the game multiple times. After Davidson hit a clutch three to even the score at 57–57, Dunn responded again with a midrange jumper to put USC ahead 59–57 with 1:38 remaining. Notre Dame countered with a 4–0 run, converting a tying layup in the final minute before Hidalgo knocked down a contested jumper with two seconds left to hand USC the narrow loss.
The Trojans now return to the Galen Center for a pair of home games this week against Tennessee Tech on Tuesday at 7 p.m. and a matinee against Pepperdine on Friday at 2 p.m. PT.
NOTES:
- USC changed up its starting lineup for the first time in three games as Vivian Iwuchukwu, Jazzy Davidson, Malia Samuels, Kennedy Smith and Kara Dunn.
- SR Kara Dunn dropped a season-best and USC game--high 21 points (8-for-11 FG, 4-for-5 3PT, 1-for-1 FT) against Notre Dame, also contributing five rebounds. The guard's eight made field goals and four made three-pointers were also season bests.
- FR Jazzy Davidson notched a team-high eight rebounds, four steals and three blocks with a team-high +6 rating. She also tallied 14 points and three assists. Davidson's four steals were a season high
- SO Kennedy Smith recorded a team-high five assists. The guard also scored nine points (3-for-4 FT) and had five rebounds
- USC's largest lead of the game was 11 points and came in the third quarter
- USC's 21 turnovers were the most in a game this season
- USC's eight points in the fourth quarter were the lowest total in a game this season
- The Trojans are now 2-10 all-time against the Fighting Irish
Team Stats
USC
ND
FG%
.460
.417
3FG%
.400
.238
FT%
.714
.600
RB
32
34
TO
21
17
STL
10
16
Game Leaders
Pts
14
FGM
6
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
1
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballUSC Women's Basketball vs Portland Post Game Press Conference (11/18/25)
Tuesday, November 18
USC Women’s Basketball vs Portland Highlights | Trojans win 78-51
Tuesday, November 18
USC Women's Basketball vs. University of South Carolina Post Game Press Conference (11/15/25)
Saturday, November 15
USC Women's Basketball vs NC State Post Game Press Conference (11/09/25)
Monday, November 10
