University Southern California Trojans
USC
14-9,6-6Big Ten
Northwestern
8-15,2-10Big Ten
USC Rolls to Road Win at Northwestern, 83-65
February 05, 2026 | Women's Basketball
Sophomore Kennedy Smith records second career double-double.
EVANSTON, Ill. — The USC women's basketball team put together one of its most complete performances of the season on Thursday night, cruising to an 83-65 victory over Northwestern at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
With the win, the Trojans improve to 14-9 overall and 6-6 in conference play. The victory also marked USC's first over Northwestern since 1983.
USC seized control early and never relinquished it, opening the first frame on an 11-0 run sparked by freshman Jazzy Davidson and redshirt freshman Laura Williams. Williams opened the scoring with a jumper before Davidson buried the game's first three-pointer and poured in nine straight points to push the Trojans out to a commanding early advantage. USC forced six Northwestern turnovers in the opening quarter, converting those miscues into 15 points as it built a 28-16 lead after 10 minutes.
The Trojans continued to apply pressure in the second quarter, stretching the margin with a 12-2 run midway through the period and closing the half on a decisive 14-2 surge. USC shot 61 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes and finished the half with 53 points, marking a season best. Senior Kara Dunn led all scorers at the break with 13 points as USC carried a 53-28 advantage into halftime.
Davidson opened the second half with a layup and later completed a three-point play as USC maintained firm control throughout the third quarter. The freshman scored eight points in the period, helping the Trojans push their lead to as many as 27. USC calmly closed out the contest in the final frame, with Dunn opening the fourth quarter at the free-throw line and Davidson contributing 10 of her team-high points after halftime to seal the road win.
Four Trojans scored in double figures, led by Davidson's 21 points, marking her 20th consecutive game scoring in double figures. She also dished out a team-high six assists and recorded two steals. Dunn finished with 18 points, extending her double-figure scoring streak to 13 straight games, while adding six rebounds and four assists.
Sophomore Kennedy Smith turned in a standout all-around performance, recording the second double-double of her career and first of the season with 17 points and a season-high 11 rebounds. The guard added five assists, knocked down a game-high three three-pointers and posted a +22 rating.
Up next, USC heads to Champaign for a Big Ten matchup against Illinois on Sunday, Feb. 8 at 12 p.m. CT.
MAIN TAKEAWAYS:
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USC's 28 first-quarter points matched its season high (Jan. 28 vs. Iowa).
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The Trojans scored a season-high 53 points in the first half, surpassing their previous best of 47 (Nov. 28 vs. Pepperdine). It was also the most points in a half (first or second) this season
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During the first half, the Women of Troy shot 61 percent (20-for-33) from the field and scored 19 points off turnovers (allowed none)
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FR Jazzy Davidson led USC with 21 points, recording her 20th consecutive game scoring in double figures. Davidson also added six assists, three rebounds and two steals
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SR Kara Dunn scored 18 points, extending her double-figure scoring streak to 13 games. Dunn also tallied six rebounds and four assists
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SO Kennedy Smith posted the second double-double of her career and first of the season with 17 points and a season-high 11 rebounds. Smith also added five assists.
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R-FR Laura Williams matched her career high with eight points on 4-for-5 shooting and recorded a game-high three blocks.
- JR Dayana Mendes scored seven points, matching her season high with three made field goals.
QUOTES:
Lindsay Gottlieb | Head Coach
Opening statement:
"First off, congratulations Joe McKeown on an incredible career. He's meant so much to the game. Fun to get to come here and compete. Proud of how our team came out ... Northwestern is a very skilled team. We executed the game plan well ... overall to get a good win on the road is always a big thing and we'll keep working."
Kennedy Smith | So | G
On teams improvement down the stretch:
"I feel like as a team with these last couple of games, we've improved a lot. We've stayed consistent and are playing together and growing as a team, and that starts in practice. Just a lot of conversations about being better, obviously through that stretch of losses, but that doesn't define us. I think the games matter the most in February and March, so we're here to be better from here on out.
On second career double-double:
"It was really just getting off the boards. Coach [Burns] B and [Coach ] Jaco emphasize it a lot and that's something that I took pride in this game."
