USC Rallies Behind Lockdown Defense, Jazzy Davidson’s Career Night to Edge Cal
When the shots weren’t falling, USC leaned on what it does best - defense. And that defense delivered in crunch time.
The Women of Troy erased a nine-point second-half deficit and clamped down in the fourth quarter to pull out a gritty 61-57 win over California at Chase Center on Sunday evening. It wasn’t always pretty, but it was gutsy - and it was a win that showed exactly why this USC team is so dangerous heading into Big Ten play.
Defense Turns the Tide
Let’s start with the stat that tells the story: Cal went 1-of-10 from the field in the fourth quarter. One made field goal in 10 minutes. That’s not just a cold spell - that’s USC turning up the heat and shutting the water off entirely.
Even with Cal getting to the line and converting 10-of-14 free throws in the final frame, they couldn’t find the basket when it counted most. USC’s defense didn’t blink, even with foul trouble creeping in.
Sophomore Kennedy Smith came up with a clutch steal with 40 seconds left that led to two free throws. And then there was freshman phenom Jazzy Davidson, who put the finishing touches on a dominant two-way performance with back-to-back blocks in the final 30 seconds. She ended the night with four of USC’s nine blocks - and that was just the defensive side of her stat sheet.
Davidson Delivers Career Night
On offense, Davidson was the engine. She dropped a career-high 24 points on 9-of-21 shooting, including three from deep, and added four rebounds, two assists, two steals, and those four blocks. She’s quickly becoming the go-to option when USC needs a bucket - or a stop.
Senior guard Kara Dunn chipped in 15 points and hit two threes of her own, while Smith added 11 points despite a tough shooting night (5-of-16). But this game wasn’t about individual scoring explosions - it was about timely plays from a lot of different hands.
A Game of Runs
This one had momentum swings all night. USC couldn’t buy a bucket early, shooting just 5-of-20 in the first quarter.
But they stayed within striking distance by turning defense into offense - seven of their first nine points came off Cal turnovers. Then, after falling behind early in the second, the Trojans caught fire, hitting six of eight shots during one stretch to take a three-point lead into halftime.
Cal came out swinging in the third with a 14-2 run, flipping that lead into a nine-point advantage. But USC responded with a 10-3 burst to close the quarter, capped by two quick buckets in the final 22 seconds to make it a two-point game heading into the fourth.
That’s when Davidson stepped up again. Her three-pointer gave USC its first lead since the opening minute of the third quarter. And while the Trojans only hit one field goal in the first 4:15 of the fourth, they never let Cal pull away - and eventually took control for good.
The Turning Point: Everyone Steps Up
With just under six minutes to play and USC trailing by three, it wasn’t just the stars who made plays. It was a full team effort.
Gerda Raulusaityte broke a two-minute scoring drought with a soft jumper in the lane. Davidson followed with a transition bucket to give USC the lead. Then Londynn Jones, a lefty, floated in a right-handed runner to stretch it to three.
Cal briefly cut the lead to one, but Smith and Dunn went to work in isolation sets and delivered back-to-back buckets to give USC breathing room. From there, it was about composure - and the Trojans knocked down their free throws in the final 33 seconds to seal it.
Key Numbers
- 13 offensive rebounds: USC didn’t dominate the glass overall, but those 13 boards turned into five second-chance points - in a four-point game, that’s massive.
- 10 missed free throws by Cal: The Golden Bears went 20-of-30 from the line. That’s 10 points left on the table in a game that came down to the final minute.
What It Means
USC wraps up non-conference play at 9-3. Cal, still searching for its first Power Four win, proved to be a tougher out than expected, but the Trojans found a way - and that’s what good teams do.
There’s still some fine-tuning to be done before Big Ten play begins, especially on the offensive end, but the defensive identity is clear. And with Davidson emerging as a two-way star, USC has a weapon that can swing games on both ends.
What’s Next
USC heads to Lincoln for a Dec. 29 showdown with Nebraska. Tip-off is set for 12 p.m. PST, and the game will be streamed on Big Ten+.
Cal returns home across the Bay Bridge to host Cal Poly next Sunday.
Player of the Game: Jazzy Davidson
She’s not just a freshman anymore - she’s the heartbeat of this team. With 24 points, four blocks, and a handful of clutch plays on both ends, Davidson showed why USC trusts her with the ball - and the moment - in her hands.
USC didn’t have its best shooting night. But when it mattered most, they got stops, made plays, and leaned on a rising star to bring them across the finish line. That’s how you win tight games in December - and the kind of toughness that’ll matter even more in January.