No. 16 USC Women's Basketball Wins Big Ten Opener Over No. 21 Washington

Sunday, December 7

Los Angeles, Calif.

5:00 p.m.

USC

7-2,1-0Big Ten

Washington

8-1,0-1Big Ten

Washington

Southern California

Photo by: Katie Chin/USC Athletics

No. 16 USC Women's Basketball Wins Big Ten Opener Over No. 21 Washington

December 07, 2025 | Women's Basketball

Box Score Press Conference

Trojans overcome an early deficit to remain unbeaten at home.

LOS ANGELES - No. 16 USC women's basketball opened Big Ten play with a statement defensive performance on Saturday night, grinding out a 59–50 win over No. 21 Washington at the Galen Center. With the win, USC (7-2, 1-0) remains unbeaten at home and hands the Huskies (8-1, 0-1) their first loss of the season.

The Women of Troy now extend their home winning streak to 19-games, the program's longest since a 48-game streak from 1981–1984. The victory also marked a historic moment for head coach Lindsay Gottlieb, who tonight earned her 100th win at USC, becoming the fastest coach in program history to reach the milestone.

Freshman guard Jazzy Davidson delivered another standout performance, recording her second career double-double with a career and game-high 22 points and a team-high 12 rebounds. The freshman also added four assists, two blocks and a pair of three-pointers. Her 10 made field goals set a new career high as she powered USC's second-half surge.

Washington jumped out to an 8–0 lead early and held USC to just four first-quarter points, but the Trojans steadied in the second quarter behind increased pressure and repeated second-chance opportunities to send the game into halftime tied 22–22.

USC's energy and physicality turned into momentum coming out of the break, as the Women of Troy pieced together a 9–0 run in the middle of the third quarter to build their largest lead of the night, eventually outscoring Washington 17–12 in the period for a 39–34 advantage. USC closed out the fourth quarter by shooting 57 percent from the field and dominating the paint, as Davidson scored eight of her 22 points in the final frame. The Trojans also forced six Washington turnovers in the quarter, converting them into eight points, including a timely steal from Londynn Jones that set up Kara Dunn's layup to extend the lead to six and seal the win.

USC dominated the interior and the hustle categories, finishing with a season-high 50 rebounds and winning the glass 50–38. The Trojans also held decisive advantages in bench points (19–6), paint points (30–24) and fast-break scoring (12–7).

Junior forward Gerda Raulušaitytė supplied a crucial spark off the bench, tallying a career-high eight points and eight rebounds, while shooting a perfect 100 percent from the field. The Trojan also posted a game-best +15 rating.

Sophomore Kennedy Smith matched her season high with 13 points, and filled the box score with five rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a team-high two steals.

The Trojans held Washington to just 50 points, the Huskies' lowest scoring output of the season and their fewest since March 6, 2024.

The Women of Troy have another steep challenge ahead as the Trojans welcome No. 1 UConn to the Galen Center next Saturday, Dec. 13 for a 2:30 p.m. showdown on FOX.

NOTES:
- This victory marks 19 straight home wins, the longest home win streak since 48 wins spanning from 1981 to 1984
- This win marks Head Coach Lindsay Gottlieb's 100th win at USC. Coach Gottlieb is the fastest coach in program history to reach this milestone
- USC recorded a season-high 50 rebounds. The Trojans also led the Huskies in rebounds (50-38), bench points (19-6), paint points (30-24) and fast break points (12-7)
- FR Jazzy Davidson notched her second career double-double with a career and game-high 22 points and team-high 12 rebounds. The freshman guard also contributed four assists, two blocks and a team-high two made three-    pointers. Her 10 made field goals also marked a new career high
- JR Gerda Raulušaitytė scored a career-high eight points. The forward also had eight rebounds, shot 100% from the field and had a game-high +15 rating
- SO Kennedy Smith tallied 13 points, matching her season-high. She also recorded five rebounds, four assists, two blocks and team-high two steals
- USC's 22 points in the first half are the fewest scored by the Women of Troy in a half this season. The Trojans' 11.8% three-point average and 52.4% free-throw average were the lowest this season
- Washington's 50 points is their lowest total this year (previously 61). Their 50 points were also the lowest total since their 50 points against Arizona on 3/6/24
- The Huskies' 22 points in the first half are their lowest total in any half this season. Their eight points in the first quarter are their fewest in a first quarter this season and the second-lowest for any quarter this season

QUOTES:

HC Lindsay Gottlieb

On the team's ability to stay in the game despite a tough start:
"I am really proud of the way we competed, especially in the first quarter. I know that sounds crazy, but to not score for eight and a half minutes and not lose our spirit says a lot about who we have become and are trying to become. I was really proud of our fight and toughness all game."

On what it means to her to become the fastest coach in program history to reach 100 wins:
"I get goosebumps thinking about how grateful I am to be the coach here. It's an incredible school…but you have to have people that are committed to making women's basketball good. Being part of that and a steward of this program is something I'm really grateful for."

SO | Kennedy Smith

On Londynn Jones as a teammate and contributor off the bench:
"Londynn is very dynamic and very competitive, and that's exactly what we needed on our team this year — that competitive spirit and drive to get better every day. Last year we played against her, and having that spark from her on our side now is something I'm really grateful for. I'm just really happy she's here."

FR | Jazzy Davidson

On shot quality and team dynamics:
"I play with a bunch of really great players who can score in so many ways that really opens things up for me. I think we all create opportunities for each other in that way."

On adapting to the physicality of the Big Ten, starting tonight with Washington:
"I think our practices really prepared us for that, and put a huge emphasis on rebounding. I think just going into the game that mindset really helped me."