USC Women's Basketball Gets Back to Galen For Big Ten Matchup Against No. 8 Iowa

Thursday, January 29

Los Angeles, Calif.

6:00 p.m.

USC

#8 Iowa

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Malia Samuels against a defender on the basketball court.

Photo by: Bryce Dechert

USC Women's Basketball Gets Back to Galen For Big Ten Matchup Against No. 8 Iowa

January 27, 2026 | Women's Basketball

Game Notes

Trojans to face Hawkeyes at Galen Center on Thursday evening.

LOS ANGELES - USC returns to the Galen Center this week for a Big Ten matchup against No. 8 Iowa on Thursday at 6 p.m. PT. The game is one of only five remaining home contests for the Women of Troy this season.

USC has not beaten the Hawkeyes since 1984 and in search of a resume boosting win heading into February.

SERIES RECORD: 1-5
LAST MEETING: L, 76-69 (February 2, 2025) | Carver-Hawkeye Arena - Iowa City, Iowa
HEAD COACH: Jan Jensen (2nd season - 41-13)
CONFERENCE: Big Ten Conference
STREAK: L, 0-4
TV/STREAM: Peacock (PxP - Cindy Brunson, Analyst - Kim Adams)
LISTEN: ESPN LA 710 AM / USC Gameday App / ESPNLA App

A WIN WOULD

Be the 888th win in program history (887-575)
Be head coach Lindsay Gottlieb's 105th win at USC (104-45)
Be head coach Lindsay Gottlieb's 340th win as a head coach (339-173)
Give USC its fourth win over a ranked opponent this season (currently 3-7 against AP Top 25 opponents this season)
Mark USC's first win over Iowa since the 1984-85 season and second win all-time against Iowa
Snap Iowa's eight game winning streak and hand the Hawkeyes their first Big Ten Conference loss of the season

SCOUTING NO. 8 IOWA

Iowa is ranked No. 8 in the most recent AP poll and No. 2 in the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes are off to their best conference start (9-0) in program history since the 1995-96 season (12-0)
On Jan. 25, Iowa defeated Ohio State (91-70) at home to break the Buckeyes' seven-game win streak
SR forward Hannah Stuelke leads the Big Ten in rebounds per game (8.9)
SO guard Ava Heiden leads the Hawkeyes in points per game (16.4) and blocks per game (1.1)
In the Big Ten, Iowa is ranked No. 2 in field goal percentage (49.4%) and No. 4 in rebounds per game (42.0%)

NUGGETS OF KNOWLEDGE

As a squad, USC is sixth nationally and leads the Big Ten in blocks per game (6.1) (122 total)
Senior Kara Dunn has been an offensive weapon for the Trojans through the last six games, averaging 24.5 ppg (shooting 54.5 percent from the field). The senior is also averaging 6.0 rpg and 2.3 spg (through the last six). The senior is averaging 19.7 ppg in conference play and 6.6 rpg
Dunn is just 2 points away from reaching 1,500 career points (At Georgia Tech, Dunn recorded 1,191 points).
Freshman Jazzy Davidson Davidson leads USC in scoring (16.0 ppg), assists (4.0 apg), rebounds (6.4 rpg) and blocked shots (2.5 bpg).
Davidson has recorded 19 double-figuring scoring games this season, including 17 straight games since Nov. 18
Davidson is 11th nationally and leads the Big Ten in blocks (49). The freshman is 11th nationally and leads the Big Ten in blocks per game (2.45).
Davidson is 4th in the Big Ten and 16th nationally in field goal attempts (325). She is also 3rd amongst all D1 freshman in field goal attempts (325).
Sophomore Kennedy Smith leads USC in steals per game (2.0)
Senior Londynn Jones has appeared in 128 consecutive collegiate games (108 at UCLA, 20 at USC)
USC is unranked for the first time since the 2022-23 season.

LAST TIME OUT

USC fell 73-67 to No. 7 Michigan on Jan. 25, 2026
The game marked FR Jazzy Davidson's 17th consecutive game scoring in double figures with 11 points. She also led with a career and team-high seven assists
With 26 points (9-for-15 FG, 3-for-7 3PT, 5-for-5 FT), SR Kara Dunn tallied her 10th consecutive game scoring in double figures and sixth consecutive game with +20 points. The guard also recorded a season-high 10 rebounds, tallying her fourth career double double and first of this season
SO Kennedy Smith contributed five points, four assists and a team-high three steals
The Trojans' 31 points in the third quarter were their most points scored in any quarter this season
USC led Michigan in bench points 19-6

TROJANS VS. SPARTANS

USC came up short against No. 13 Michigan State, falling 74-68 to the Spartans on Thursday, Jan. 22.
FR Jazzy Davidson recorded her 19th straight game with at least one block, finishing with a game-high five, and scored 21 points (8-for-16 FG, 4-for-4 FT) to extend her double-figure scoring streak to 16 games.
SR Kara Dunn led USC with 23 points on 10-for-18 shooting, marking her ninth consecutive game in double figures and fifth straight with 20-plus points. She added six rebounds, three steals and two blocks.
SO Kennedy Smith, in her second game back, totaled 15 points, six rebounds, four assists and a team- and season-high four steals.
Dayana Mendes and Vivian Iwuchukwu each grabbed six rebounds, a season high for Mendes and a career high for Iwuchukwu.
USC finished with 11 blocks — its second-most this season — shot a season-best 87.5 percent from the free-throw line, outrebounded Michigan State 42-33 and held a 7-2 edge in bench points.

BEAT THE BOILERMAKERS

USC beat Purdue 83-57 on Sunday, Jan. 18
The win marked USC's first of 2026
The game marked FR Jazzy Davidson's 18th straight game with one or more blocks, recording one against the Boilermakers, and her 15th straight game scoring in double figures. The guard also contributed 13 points (4-for-4 FT), six assists and a team-high three steals
SR Kara Dunn recorded a season-high 29 points and 12 made field goals along with a team-high five rebounds. This is her eighth consecutive game scoring in double figures and fourth consecutive game with +20 points
SO Kennedy Smith returned to competition for the first time since Jan. 3 at UCLA. She contributed six assists, two steals and a team-high two blocks with a game-high +30 rating
The Trojans' 25 assists were their second most in a game this season

TOUGH ONE AGAINST THE TERRAPINS

USC fell 62-55 to No. 12 Maryland on Thursday, Jan. 15
SR Kara Dunn scored a game-high 21 points, seven field goals and four three pointers. The guard also had five rebounds and five assists
The game marked R-FR Laura Williams' first collegiate start of her career
Every Trojan that checked into the game scored at least two points from the field

A MINNESOTA MINUTE

USC narrowly fell 63-62 to Minnesota on Sunday, Jan. 11
14 made three-pointers and 45.2% three-point average were a season-best
SR Kara Dunn scored a season-high 27 points, 10 made field goals, and five made three pointers. The guard also recorded a career-high six steals
The game marked FR Jazzy Davidson's 16th straight game with one or more blocks, recording two against the Gophers, and her 13th straight game scoring in double figures. The guard also made a career-high five three-pointers
JR Malia Samuels matched her season high in made three-pointers with two in the first quarter and posted a team-high +8 rating. She also contributed a game-high six assists

DOWN THE STRETCH WITH THE DUCKS

USC narrowly fell to Oregon 71-66 on Tuesday, Jan. 6
Tuesday's game marked FR Jazzy Davidson's 15th straight game with 1+ blocks and her 12th straight game scoring in double figures
With 14 points and a team-high 13 rebounds, Davidson tallied her third career double-double. The guard also contributed a team-high five assists and two blocks
R-FR Laura Williams recorded a career-high nine rebounds and a team-high +6 rating
SR Kara Dunn recorded a new season high with nine rebounds and five made free throws. She also scored a game-high 21 points, matching her season high
USC's 85.7% (12-for-14) free-throw average was a season best

A TRIP ACROSS TOWN

USC fell 86-44 to No. 4 UCLA on Saturday, Jan. 3
USC forced 17 turnovers against UCLA, the second-most turnovers for the Bruins in single game this season
The Bruins four made three-pointers matched their fewest this season
FR Jazzy Davidson contributed 10 points and a team-high three blocks
USC knocked down four of its first five attempts from deep during the first 10 minutes of play to post its best three-point shooting quarter of the season (80 percent).

NEWSWORTHY TRIP TO NEBRASKA

USC defeated No. 20 Nebraska 74-66 on Monday, Dec. 29 in Lincoln, Nebraska
FR Jazzy Davidson scored 17 points to record her 12th double-figure performance of the season (10th straight game in double figures). The freshman also tied her career high 5 blocks and contributed eight rebounds, three assists and a steal
SO Kennedy Smith put up a season best 17 points and a season high 9 rebounds
USC held Nebraska to under 80 points for the first time this season
USC outscored Nebraska by 15 points over the final two quarters, turning a two-point halftime deficit into an eight-point win
The Trojans were +13 on the boards, out-rebounding the Cornhuskers 38-25 (16 offensive rebounds)
USC held Nebraska scoreless from the field over the final 2:42
USC had four players score in double figures for the third time this season - Davidson (17), Smith (17), Dunn (14) and Jones (13)
USC won the battle in paint points (44-28), points off turnovers (27-18) and second chance points (19-13)

B1G OPENER

USC opened conference play with a 59-50 win over No. 21 Washington on Dec. 7, 2025
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.
JR Gerda Raulušaityte 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, five rebounds, four assists, two blocks and team-high two steals

NONCONFERENCE RECAP

USC wrapped up nonconference play 8-3, including one win over a ranked opponent (No. 9 NC State). The Trojans three losses were to No. 1 UConn, No. 2 South Carolina and No. 24 Notre Dame (2 point margin of defeat).
The Trojans averaged 71.7 ppg in nonconference play.
USC defeated Cal 61-57 to close out nonconference play 8-3. Against the Golden Bears, USC recorded a season-high 50 rebounds and FR Jazzy Davidson posted a career best 24 points
The Women of Troy finished nonconference play 6-1 at home, 2-1 at neutral sites and 0-1 on the road.
FR Jazzy Davidson led the Trojans in every statistical category in nonconference play - 16.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 3.7 apg, 2.2 spg, 2.5 bpg and 32:2 mpg.
SR Londynn Jones scored a career and game-high 28 points and 11 made field goals against Cal Poly.
FR Jazzy Davidson scored a career-high 24 points with her ninth consecutive double-figuring scoring performance and her 12th of the season, adding four rebounds, four blocks and matching her career best with three three-pointers.
SO Kennedy Smith led USC in points (16) and rebounds (7) against No. 1 UConn. Smith also led USC in scoring against No. 2 South Carolina (12)

DAVIDSON'S DOMINANCE

ESPN named Davidson No. 1 in the Dec. 18 women's college basketball freshman impact rankings (Davidson was also No. 1 preseason)
Freshman Davidson leads USC in scoring (16.0 ppg), assists (4.0 apg), rebounds (6.4 rpg) and blocked shots (2.5 bpg).
Davidson has recorded 19 double-figuring scoring games this season, including 17 straight games since Nov. 18
Davidson is 11th nationally and leads the Big Ten in blocks (49). The freshman is 11th nationally and leads the Big Ten in blocks per game (2.45).
Davidson is 4th in the Big Ten and 16th nationally in field goal attempts (325). She is also 3rd amongst all D1 freshman in field goal attempts (325).
The newcomer put up 14 points (second leading scorer), had five rebounds, four assists, 1 steal and 1 block in her collegiate debut
Against NC State, Davidson put up 21 points, had five blocks, four assists, three steals and was perfect from the free throw line (2-2). Davidson delivered the winning basket in USC's victory over NC State as the freshman made a fast break driving layup with 8 seconds remaining in the game.
Davidson posted a breakthrough performance versus Tennessee Tech, recording her first double-double as she finished with 20 points (9-of-14 FG) and a career-high 16 rebounds. Her 16 boards not only led all players but also marked the most by a USC freshman since Rayah Marshall's performance against Texas Southern on Dec. 18, 2021. Davidson also chipped in four assists and two blocks to round out the effort.
Against No. 21 Washington, Davidson notched her second career double-double with a 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.
Against Cal, Davidson scored a career-high 24 points with her ninth consecutive double-figuring scoring performance and her 12th of the season, adding four rebounds, four blocks and matching her career best with three three-pointers.
At No. 20 Nebraska, Davidson scored 17 points and contributed five blocks, eight rebounds, three assists and 1 steal.
Davidson recorded her third double-double against Oregon, putting up 14 points, 13 rebounds (11 defensive), five assists, two blocks and two steals.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT DAVIDSON

"She plays well with the ball in her hands, and she makes good decisions, she makes great shots. Just a high-level player. Like, a really high-level player that doesn't really play like a freshman." - South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley
"Jazzy Davidson has no weaknesses in her game and she's just a freshman. USC has another superstar." - NFL Network/SI.com, Kendell Hollowell
"Jazzy Davidson was the No. 1 overall recruit for a reason. She can do everything. An instant star for USC." - NFL Network/SI.com, Kendell Hollowell
"It was a big night for freshman Jazzy Davidson, who's currently my frontrunner for NFOY." - On3 reporter Talia Goodman after USC defeated Washington
"She's probably the best freshman in the country at this point based on what has happend on the court, not the hype part." - UConn head coach Geno Auriemma (Dec. 2025)

KENNEDY SMITH STEPS UP

Sophomore Kennedy Smith leads USC in assists per game (3.8) and steals per game (1.9)
Sophomore Kennedy Smith has stepped up for the Trojans this season under pressure, scoring in doube figures against No. 21 Washington (13), No. 2 UConn (16) and No. 20 Nebraska (17)
Smith posted a season best 17 points against No. 20 Nebraska, also contributing nine rebounds, six assists, two blocks and one steal
Through 15 games, Smith led USC in assists per game (3.7) and is tied with Davidson in steals per game (1.8).
Due to injury, Smith missed USC's games against Oregon, Minnesota and No. 12 Maryland

KARA GETS IT DUNN

Senior Kara Dunn has been an offensive weapon for the Trojans through the last six games, averaging 24.5 ppg (shooting 54.5 percent from the field). The senior is also averaging 6.0 rpg and 2.3 spg (through the last six).
Dunn has posted 20+ points in each of the last six games, including a season best 29 points against Purdue
The senior is averaging 19.7 ppg in conference play and 6.6 rpg
Dunn is just 2 points away from reaching 1,500 career points (At Georgia Tech, Dunn recorded 1,191 points).
Dunn leads USC in offensive boards this season at 38 (1.9 offensive rpg)
Against No. 24 Notre Dame, Dunn led USC in scoring with 21 points
The senior has led USC in scoring three times and rebounding three times this season
Against Oregon, Dunn tied her season best 21 points to lead USC in scoring. The senior also had nine rebounds and four assists. She was also perfect from the charity stripe, shooting 5-5 from the line
Dunn has been on fire in 2026, posting 20 or more points in the last four outings - 21 against Oregon, 27 at Minnesota, 21 against No. 12 Maryland and 29 against Purdue
At Minnesota, Dunn dropped 27 points, making five three-pointers and contributing six steals and three assists
Against No. 13 Michigan State, Dunn recorded 23 points, six rebounds and three steals
Against No. 7 Michigan, Dunn had her first double-double of the season, posting 26 points, ten rebounds, three assists and two fouls.

KEEPING UP WITH JONES

Appearing in her first ever game as a Trojan, UCLA transfer Londynn Jones led USC in scoring, putting up 16 points off the bench. The senior came off the bench for 18 minutes and had three rebounds, three assists and two steals. She was also 4-4 from the charity stripe.
Against Cal Poly, Jones put up a career high 28 points, while also contributing 2 rebounds and four steals in just 23 minutes played.
The senior got her first start as a Trojan against Pepperdine on Nov. 28, recording six points, five assists and one rebound. Against Saint Mary's, Jones put up a team-high 17 points.
Jones, who has appeared in 128 consecutive collegiate games (108 at UCLA. 20 at USC), has recorded 11 double-figure scoring performances for the Women of Troy this season.
Jones has been clutch at the free throw line, shooting 85.2 percent from the charity stripe, while attempting a team-leading 54 this season (team high 46 made)