USC Women's Basketball Stuns No. 8 Iowa 81-69

Thursday, January 29

Los Angeles, Calif.

6:00 p.m.

USC

12-9,4-6Big Ten

#8 Iowa

18-3,9-1Big Ten

Iowa

Southern California

Photo by: Kevin Kim

USC Women's Basketball Stuns No. 8 Iowa 81-69

January 29, 2026 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Trojans hand Hawkeyes first Big Ten loss of the season.

LOS ANGELES — USC women's basketball turned in one of its most complete performances of the season Thursday night, defeating No. 8 Iowa, 81-69 at the Galen Center. Powered by an explosive start, a decisive third quarter run and 20-point performances from Kara Dunn and Jazzy Davidson, the Trojans handed Iowa its first conference loss of the season.

USC set the tone immediately, opening the game on a 10-2 run and converting its first eight field-goal attempts. Freshman Jazzy Davidson opened the scoring with a three-pointer and USC never trailed the rest of the way. Senior Kara Dunn halted Iowa's first scoring push with a triple that marked the 1,500th point of her career, as USC closed the opening period on a 13-0 run to take a 28-13 advantage.

Iowa mounted its strongest response in the second quarter, using a 15-0 run to cut into the deficit. USC answered behind Davidson and Dunn, maintaining composure and limiting Iowa's opportunities in transition. Dunn led all scorers in the first half with 16 points, while USC entered halftime with a 43-37 lead after holding advantages in points off turnovers (13-0) and fast-break points (13-6).

USC took full control following the break. The Trojans opened the second half with a layup by Dunn and later used a 19-2 scoring run to separate decisively, extending the lead to 70-51 by the end of the third quarter. USC scored 27 points in the period, its second-highest third quarter output this season, while holding Iowa to just 14.

The Trojans maintained control in the fourth quarter, opening the frame with a three-pointer from Davidson followed by a strong closing stretch from sophomore Kennedy Smith. USC committed just five turnovers on the night, its fewest in a game this season, and comfortably closed out the win.

Dunn led USC with a game-high 25 points and added a season-high 12 rebounds for her fifth career double-double. Davidson finished with 21 points, four rebounds, a game-high two steals and a career-high eight assists, marking her 18th consecutive game scoring in double figures. Senior Londynn Jones contributed 17 points on 7-for-11 shooting, while Smith added 12 points, five rebounds and three assists.

The win marked USC's first victory over Iowa since the teams' first-ever meeting in 1984 and snapped a five-game losing streak against the Hawkeyes. Tonight's victory is USC's second win over a top 10 opponent this season and improved the Trojans to five conference victories on the year.

The Trojans return to the Galen Center on Sunday afternoon as USC hosts Rutgers for a 2 p.m. matinee.

MAIN TAKEAWAYS:
- Tonight's win marked the first time an unranked USC women's basketball team beat a top 10 opponent since beating No. 2 Stanford in 2023
- USC's win marked the first over Iowa since the first-ever meeting between the two programs on Nov. 30, 1984, now snapping Iowa's five-game win streak against USC.
- This is USC's second victory against a top 10 ranked opponent this season (Nov. 9 vs. NC State)
- With a game-high 25 points (8-for-14 FG, 6-for-9 FT) and a game and season-high 12 rebounds, SR Kara Dunn has now scored over 1,500 career points (1,523) and tallied her fifth career and second consecutive. This game also marks her 11th consecutive game scoring in double figures and seventh consecutive game with +20 points. Her six made free throws were a season high
- Today marked FR Jazzy Davidson's 18th consecutive game scoring in double figures with 21 points. She also recorded four rebounds, a game-high two steals and a team and career-high eight assists
- SR Londynn Jones contributed 17 points (7-for-11 FG, 3-for-5 3PT) and two assists. Her 17 points and seven field goals were her most since Dec. 18 vs. Cal Poly (28 PTS, 11 FGs)
- SO Kennedy Smith recorded 12 points, five rebounds and three assists
- JR Dayana Mendes matched her career high and recorded a new season high in assists with three
- USC's five turnovers were its fewest in a game this season
- Tonight's win snapped Iowa's eight-game win streak

QUOTES:
Lindsay Gottlieb | Head Coach

On today's win and confidence for second half of Big Ten games:
"Like I keep telling them, it's confidence and humility. Humility, we can't give up 23 second chance points, or we can't turn it over, right? That's basketball, but the confidence to know these are top 10 teams and we have to keep doing what we need to do to be where we need to be. We've got eight games in the second half of conference [play] and my expectation is that we're at the top in the second half … I think a win like tonight starts it, but I do think they are feeling and seeing the ramifications of how they approached the week."

Kara Dunn | Sr | G

On scoring 1500 points in a USC uniform:
"To be in a Trojan uniform, that means everything to me, because coming in, going into the transfer portal, I wanted to feel like I had a coach that had confidence in me. Coach Lindsay has given me all of that and more. So being able to play my version of basketball in the Trojan uniform means so much with this brand. To be a Trojan woman, it means a lot to me, so I'm glad I'm able to do that for one year. Thank you, Coach Lindsay, for giving me the opportunity."

Jazzy Davidson | Fr | G

On win against Iowa and what it does for the team:
"I think it really means everything. We really felt we needed this win, and I feel we've had a lot of great practices. Just the team morale is really good right now, despite the losses. So, it's really just good for us to have this win and move forward into February."