University Southern California Trojans
Thursday, March 5
Indianapolis, Ind.
9:00 a.m.
USC
17-13,9-9Big Ten
64
vs
76
Washington
21-9,10-8Big Ten
1
2
3
4
F
Southern California
6
14
16
28
64
Washington
8
24
24
20
76
Photo by: Katie Chin/USC Athletics
USC's Run at the 2026 Allstate Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament Comes to a Close
March 05, 2026 | Women's Basketball
Trojans come up short against No. 8 seed Washington during second round.
INDIANAPOLIS – USC's run at the 2026 Allstate Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament ended Thursday afternoon as No. 8 seed Washington pulled away for a 76–64 decision at Gainbridge Fieldhouse during the second round of play.
USC opened the game with strong defensive energy, forcing eight Washington turnovers in the first quarter and holding the opposition to just eight points in the period for the second time this season. Washington scored the first four points of the game before USC got on the board with a pair of free throws from redshirt freshman Laura Williams. Freshman Jazzy Davidson later recorded the team's first field goal on a layup following a successful coach's challenge, sparking a brief 6–0 USC run. Despite the defensive effort, the offense stalled late in the frame as USC went scoreless for the final 4:43, trailing 8–6 after one.
The second quarter proved to be the turning point as Washington found its rhythm offensively. Senior Londynn Jones opened the scoring for USC with a driving layup, while Davidson added a pair of free throws and Kara Dunn knocked down a three-pointer to keep the game close early. Sophomore Dayana Mendes also connected from deep after securing an offensive rebound. Washington, however, shot nearly 48 percent in the period and built separation with a 24-point quarter to take a 32–20 lead into halftime.
The Huskies continued to surge coming out of the break, shooting 64.3 percent in the third quarter to stretch the margin further. Dunn opened the second-half scoring with a free throw, and sophomore Kennedy Smith converted a steal into points during a short 5–0 USC run, but Washington maintained control and carried a 56–36 lead into the final quarter.
USC mounted its strongest push in the fourth. Jones ignited the comeback effort with a three-pointer off a Williams rebound and accounted for 11 of USC's first 18 points of the quarter. The late surge included a 7–0 run that trimmed the deficit to 11, with USC ultimately outscoring Washington 28–20 in the period. The rally, however, came too late to overcome the earlier deficit as Washington secured the 76–64 victory.
Jones led USC with 19 points and shot 8-for-9 from the free-throw line while adding two rebounds and two assists. Smith contributed 14 points along with three assists and three steals. Williams delivered a strong all-around performance with a career-high nine points, 13 rebounds, a career-high three assists and two blocks.
USC forced 18 Washington turnovers and held leading scorer Sayvia Sellers, who entered the game averaging 19.2 points per game, to just four points without a made field goal. The team also finished with advantages in second-chance points (19-10), fast-break points (6-5) and bench scoring (8-7), but Washington's 50 percent shooting and strong second and third quarters proved decisive.
The loss concludes USC's conference tournament appearance, with the Trojans now left to await their fate in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. USC is 17-13 overall this season.
Main Takeaways:
USC opened the game with strong defensive energy, forcing eight Washington turnovers in the first quarter and holding the opposition to just eight points in the period for the second time this season. Washington scored the first four points of the game before USC got on the board with a pair of free throws from redshirt freshman Laura Williams. Freshman Jazzy Davidson later recorded the team's first field goal on a layup following a successful coach's challenge, sparking a brief 6–0 USC run. Despite the defensive effort, the offense stalled late in the frame as USC went scoreless for the final 4:43, trailing 8–6 after one.
The second quarter proved to be the turning point as Washington found its rhythm offensively. Senior Londynn Jones opened the scoring for USC with a driving layup, while Davidson added a pair of free throws and Kara Dunn knocked down a three-pointer to keep the game close early. Sophomore Dayana Mendes also connected from deep after securing an offensive rebound. Washington, however, shot nearly 48 percent in the period and built separation with a 24-point quarter to take a 32–20 lead into halftime.
The Huskies continued to surge coming out of the break, shooting 64.3 percent in the third quarter to stretch the margin further. Dunn opened the second-half scoring with a free throw, and sophomore Kennedy Smith converted a steal into points during a short 5–0 USC run, but Washington maintained control and carried a 56–36 lead into the final quarter.
USC mounted its strongest push in the fourth. Jones ignited the comeback effort with a three-pointer off a Williams rebound and accounted for 11 of USC's first 18 points of the quarter. The late surge included a 7–0 run that trimmed the deficit to 11, with USC ultimately outscoring Washington 28–20 in the period. The rally, however, came too late to overcome the earlier deficit as Washington secured the 76–64 victory.
Jones led USC with 19 points and shot 8-for-9 from the free-throw line while adding two rebounds and two assists. Smith contributed 14 points along with three assists and three steals. Williams delivered a strong all-around performance with a career-high nine points, 13 rebounds, a career-high three assists and two blocks.
USC forced 18 Washington turnovers and held leading scorer Sayvia Sellers, who entered the game averaging 19.2 points per game, to just four points without a made field goal. The team also finished with advantages in second-chance points (19-10), fast-break points (6-5) and bench scoring (8-7), but Washington's 50 percent shooting and strong second and third quarters proved decisive.
The loss concludes USC's conference tournament appearance, with the Trojans now left to await their fate in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. USC is 17-13 overall this season.
Main Takeaways:
- R-FR Laura Williams recorded 13 rebounds for her fourth double digit performance of the season. Williams also had a career high three assists and points made with 9 while adding two blocks.
- SO Kennedy Smith had 14 points. Smith also contributed three assists and three steals
- SR Londynn Jones led USC with 19 points, her most in conference play this season. Jones also had two rebounds and two assists and shot 8-for-9 from the charity stripe.
- USC scored 14 points off 18 Husky turnovers
- The Trojans led the Huskies in second chance points (19-10), fast break points (6-5) and bench points (8-7).
- USC held Washington guard Sayvia Sellers to four points and zero made field goals (averaged 19.2 ppg entering today's contest)
- USC outscored Washington 28-20 in the fourth quarter and converted six points off turnovers from the press
Team Stats
USC
UW
FG%
.310
.500
3FG%
.267
.300
FT%
.690
.706
RB
27
44
TO
9
18
STL
7
2
Game Leaders
Pts
19
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
8
Pts
14
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
8
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G/F
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballF
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