No. 16 USC Women's Basketball Shuts Down Saint Mary's in 79-33 Victory

Tuesday, December 2

Los Angeles, Calif.

7:00 p.m.

USC

6-2,0-0Big Ten

Saint Mary's

5-4,0-0WCC

Saint Mary's (CA)

Southern California

Londynn Jones releases the Ball in a three pointer.

No. 16 USC Women's Basketball Shuts Down Saint Mary's in 79-33 Victory

December 02, 2025 | Women's Basketball

Box Score Highlights Press Conference

Trojans hold Gaels to 15 points in the second half.

LOS ANGELES — USC's dominant defensive effort and a blistering second quarter helped the Trojans shut down Saint Mary's, 79–33, on Tuesday night at the Galen Center. With the win, USC extends its home winning streak to 18 games, tying the longest streak in program history since 1988.

The Trojans (6–2) took control early, but the game truly turned in the second period, where USC unleashed a crushing 21–2 run that held Saint Mary's without a field goal for more than nine minutes. By halftime, USC had mounted a 28–6 surge stretching from the 1:43 mark of the first quarter through the end of the second, turning a tight 18–14 opening frame into a commanding 42–18 advantage at the break. Saint Mary's (5–4) managed just four points in the second quarter on 1-for-13 shooting, marking the fewest USC has allowed in any quarter this season.

USC's defense never let up, forcing 29 turnovers that led to 28 points, while also recording a season-best 16 steals. The Gaels scored just 15 points in the final two periods; the fewest USC has allowed in any half this year.

Freshman guard Jazzy Davidson continued her surge with a standout all-around night, posting 14 points, a career high six assists and three blocks while leading USC with six made field goals. Davidson sparked several of USC's scoring bursts, including a transition layup and turnaround jumper to open the third quarter, helping push the lead to 32.

Senior Londynn Jones supplied 17 points off the bench along with a season-best four steals and Kara Dunn added 15 points, five rebounds and a season-high three steals. Sophomore Vivian Iwuchukwu helped USC command the interior with nine points, five rebounds and three steals.

USC's offensive balance was underscored by efficient shooting, including 46.4 percent from the field, eight made three's and a season-best 19-for-25 effort at the free-throw line (76.0 percent). The Trojans also posted a 34–18 advantage in paint points, a 15–0 margin in second-chance scoring and saw the bench unit contribute 33 points.

The Gaels, meanwhile, found little rhythm against USC's pressure, finishing at 26.8 percent from the field with eight different players committing multiple turnovers. The 46-point deficit marked the largest in program history for the Gaels since 2012. On the contrary, the 46-point margin of victory was USC's largest of the season.

USC returns to the Galen Center on Sunday afternoon for its Big Ten opener as the Trojans host No. 21 Washington at 5 p.m.

MAIN TAKEAWAYS

With this win, the Women of Troy are now 2-2 all-time against St. Mary's. This victory also marks USC's 18th-straight home-win, matching the longest since the 18-game streak from Feb. 9, 1986 to Feb. 11, 1988
The Trojans' 46-point margin of victory was the greatest this season. USC also recorded a season-best 16 steals and 76.0 percent free throw average
USC finished the second quarter on a 21-2 scoring run, starting at the 8:18 mark
In the second quarter alone, the Gaels were allowed four points (1-for-13 FG, 0-4 3PT), the fewest points scored by an opponent in a quarter this season. The 15 points in the second half was the fewest points scored by an opponent in a half this season
FR Jazzy Davidson recorded a career high in assists with six. The freshman also contributed a game-high six field goals, three blocks and +37 rating
SO Vivian Iwuchukwu notched a career-high three steals. The forward also scored nine points (3-for-5 FG, 3-for-4 FT), three rebounds and two assists
SR Kara Dunn tallied a season-high three steals and three made free throws. She also contributed a team-high five rebounds
SR Londynn Jones recorded a season-high four steals. The senior guard also scored a game-high 17 points and three three pointers
JR Malia Samuels matched her career high and recorded a new season high in steals with four
JR Yakiya Milton and JR Gerda Raulušaitytė each had a 100.0 percent field goal and free throw average

QUOTES:

Head coach Lindsay Gottlieb

On tonight's win against Saint Mary's:
"Our players moved that ball great, turned it over minimally and got to the right shot…To hold a team to 33 points is exceptional, so we're still getting better, but I thought this was a good step in the right direction."

On the team's biggest strengths going into Big Ten play:
"Our biggest strength in the Big Ten is going to be that there's a lot of people with a varied skill set and it's going to be tough to stop a group that's connected, united and can do a lot of different things…Because we've got so many young, new pieces coming together, I think we're only beginning to scratch the surface."

SR Kara Dunn

On preparing for conference play through preseason games:
"We are looking forward to conference play, but with every single game we focus on making sure that our execution is really good and that we're giving all of our effort into every single play….Games like this are really important for us to make sure that there's no reason that we shouldn't be very efficient with it."

FR Jazzy Davidson

On achieving a career-high six assists:
"My teammates are shot makers, so that helps a lot. Being able to play with great players makes it really easy to get those assists, so all credit to them."