University Southern California Trojans
USC
17-11,9-8Big Ten
Penn State
11-17,4-13Big Ten
USC Women’s Basketball Falls 85-82 at Penn State
February 25, 2026 | Women's Basketball
Trojans suffer back-to-back conference losses.
Freshman guard Jazzy Davidson opened the scoring with a three-pointer to spark the Trojans, who quickly established momentum through transition play and rebounding. USC outrebounded Penn State 9–6 in the opening quarter and held a 9–4 edge in fast-break points. Sophomore Kennedy Smith fueled the early offense with a team-high 11 first-quarter points, while senior Kara Dunn led all players with three rebounds in the period. USC shot efficiently from beyond the arc and carried a 26–24 lead into the second quarter.
The Trojans continued their strong play to begin the second frame as Davidson connected on another three-pointer off an assist from sophomore Malia Samuels. USC's defensive intensity proved pivotal throughout the half, forcing 14 Penn State turnovers that resulted in 20 points. Davidson closed the half by converting three free throws, helping the Women of Troy extend their advantage to 46–39 at the break after outscoring the Lady Lions 20–15 in the quarter.
Dunn opened second-half scoring for USC with a three-pointer, briefly maintaining momentum for the Trojans, but Penn State began to chip away behind efficient shooting. The Lady Lions outscored USC 19–13 in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 59–58 entering the final period.
Senior Londynn Jones knocked down a three-pointer off a Smith assist to open scoring from the field in the fourth quarter, and later drained another triple to give USC a 70–68 lead midway through the period. Penn State responded with a late offensive push, capitalizing on timely baskets and free throws down the stretch. With 14 seconds remaining, Dunn connected from beyond the arc to trim the deficit to two at 82–80. After Penn State extended its lead, Davidson converted a layup with four seconds left to bring USC within two once more, but the Trojans were unable to complete the comeback as the Lady Lions secured the 85–82 decision.
Dunn led USC with 24 points, knocking down a season-high six three-pointers while adding six rebounds and three assists. Davidson finished with 22 points, surpassing 500 career points while recording her 25th consecutive double-figure scoring performance and sixth straight 20-point game. Smith added 19 points along with six rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block, finishing one point shy of her career high. Redshirt freshman Laura Williams contributed six rebounds, a career-high two steals and matched her career best with three made free throws.
With the loss, USC drops to 17-11 overall and 9-8 in Big Ten play.
USC returns to the Galen Center for one final home game of the season as the Trojans host No. 2 UCLA on Sunday at 3 p.m. PT. The game will air on FS1.
NOTES:
- With 22 points, FR Jazzy Davidson surpassed 500 career points. The guard has also recorded double figures in 25 consecutive games, 20+ points in six consecutive games and 20+ points in 13 games overall this season.
- SO Kennedy Smith tallied 19 points, just one point shy of matching her career high. She also contributed six rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block
- SR Kara Dunn scored a team-high 24 points and a season-high six made three pointers with a team-high +3 rating. The guard also had six rebounds and three assists
- R-FR Laura Williams recorded a career-high two steals. She also contributed six rebounds and matched her career high in made free throws with three
- The Women of Troy forced 19 turnovers on the Lady Lions, resulting in 24 points
- USC led Penn State in second-chance points (11-3) and recorded more than twice the number of steals (11-5)
- With this loss, the Women of Troy are now 5-2 all-time against the Lady Lions. This is Penn State's second win all-time and first win against USC since Jan. 6, 1980 (91-80)
