USC Women's Basketball Downs Indiana 79-73

Thursday, February 12

Los Angeles, Calif.

7:00 p.m.

USC

16-9,8-6Big Ten

Indiana

14-12,3-11Big Ten

Indiana

Southern California

Photo by: Chris Mora

USC Women's Basketball Downs Indiana 79-73

February 12, 2026 | Women's Basketball

Box Score Highlights Press Conference

Trojans win fifth straight Big Ten matchup.

LOS ANGELES - USC women's basketball erased an early 11-point deficit and controlled the final three quarters to take down the Indiana Hoosiers 79-73 on Thursday night at the Galen Center. With the win, USC pushes its win streak to five games, marking the program's longest of the season.

Indiana seized momentum early, opening on a scoring run that led to a 24-13 Hoosier advantage through the first quarter. Freshman Jazzy Davidson provided the initial spark for the Trojans, scoring USC's first points on a driving layup off an assist from senior Londynn Jones.

Davidson opened the frame with a jumper and continued to attack, while junior Gerda Raulušaitytė and redshirt freshman Laura Williams delivered timely contributions to keep USC within reach. Williams' three-point play with 33 seconds remaining in the half gave the Trojans their first lead of the night at 35-34, capping a 13-2 USC run. The Women of Troy entered halftime trailing by just two, 37-35, after outscoring Indiana 22-13 in the period and owning a 20-14 edge in paint points. Davidson poured in 14 first-half points to lead all scorers.

USC carried that momentum into the third quarter. Senior Kara Dunn drilled a three-pointer to open second-half scoring and spark a stretch where the Trojans dictated tempo on both ends. USC outscored Indiana 22-17 in the period, building a 57-54 lead behind dominance in the hustle categories (14-8 in paint points, 10-5 in fast-break points, 7-0 in second-chance points and 6-0 in bench scoring during the quarter).

The fourth quarter belonged to USC's composure. After Indiana briefly tied the game, Dunn and Kennedy Smith delivered key buckets, and the Trojans repeatedly capitalized at the free-throw line. USC finished 28-for-35 from the stripe, marking a new season high and matching its season best with 44 second-half points. The Trojans also forced 19 Indiana turnovers for 21 USC points, while drawing 25 Hoosier fouls (the most by a Big Ten opponent against USC this season).

Davidson led the way with a team-high 24 points, recording her fourth-straight 20 point performance. The freshman added six rebounds, three assists, three steals, two blocks and a career-high eight made free throws.

USC returns to action one week from tonight as the Trojans host Wisconsin at the Galen Center on Thursday, February. 19 at 6 p.m. PT.

Main Takeaways

USC remains undefeated against the Hoosiers with a 4-0 all-time record.
USC's five game win streak is their longest win streak this season
USC's 44 points in the second half match their season best for point scored in a second half this season
USC's 28 made free throws marks a new season high before 25 vs. NM State on Nov. 4.
With 16 points, SR Kara Dunn has now scored in double figures for 15 consecutive games. The guard also contributed six rebounds and three assists
This game marks FR Jazzy Davidson's 22nd consecutive game scoring in double figures with a team-high 24 points. She also recorded six rebounds, three assists, three steals, two blocks and a career-high eight made free throws
With 15 points, SO Kennedy Smith surpassed 500 career points (508). Smith also tallied three rebounds, two assists, three steals and a team-high three blocks with a game-high +12 rating
JR Malia Samuels contributed a game-high four steals, matching her career high. She also scored a career-high four made free throws and had four rebounds and three assists
R-FR Laura Williams recorded a game-high nine rebounds
The Hoosiers' 25 personal fouls are the most fouls drawn by USC against a Big Ten opponent this season
USC forced 19 Indiana turnovers, leading to 21 points for the Trojans

Quotes:

Lindsay Gottlieb | Head Coach

On five game winning streak and program momentum:
"We had to focus on getting better and make no excuses and take no shortcuts… We're playing well, you do the right things, and then you start playing better. I thought we took accountability and fought to get better. We've gotten people in rhythm together. I've always thought the growth and potential of this team would be really big. We just want to keep getting better and commit to the process that's gotten us now on a winning streak."

On JuJu Watkins' Nxxt Gen collaboration with Lebron James:
"Everyone is wearing the JuJu [Watkins'] Nxxt Gen collaboration with Lebron [James]. [It was] just a really special day yesterday for the whole team to be part of her shoe release in Watts. It's been just an incredible journey here with JuJu and her family and her team at Nike and [her] agency… To have something be a first for women's college basketball, we're really proud of that. For her, for us and just the authenticity to what she said she wanted to do, which was to impact the community."

Jazzy Davidson | Fr | G

On teammates impact on her performance:
"The support of my teammates and coaches just puts all the confidence in me, and I'm just really grateful for that."

Kara Dunn | Sr | G

On silver lining of this team and season:
"Even through the losses, we were able to figure out things within our team and build connections with each other on the floor and off the floor. I think that's been the silver lining this whole season."