USC Women's Basketball Extends Winning Streak with Victory Over Wisconsin
In a thrilling display of teamwork and tenacity, the USC women's basketball team stretched their winning streak to six games with a 66-59 triumph over Wisconsin at the Galen Center. This victory boosts the Trojans to a 17-9 overall record and a 9-6 mark in conference play.
The game kicked off with Wisconsin taking the opening tip, but it was USC's senior standout, Kara Dunn, who put the Women of Troy on the scoreboard first, finishing a layup courtesy of freshman Jazzy Davidson's assist. USC's defense quickly set the tone, forcing six turnovers in the first quarter alone, converting these into 10 crucial points. Davidson capped the period with a three-point play, giving USC a 14-10 lead.
Davidson continued her impressive performance into the second quarter, opening with a driving layup and sinking the first three-pointer of the game, extending USC's lead to 23-13. The Trojans dominated the fast break, outscoring Wisconsin 13-3 in transition and 12-4 off turnovers.
Davidson led all scorers with 10 points in the first half, while redshirt freshman Laura Williams was a force in the paint, recording four blocks and six rebounds. USC went into halftime with a 30-22 advantage.
The third quarter was all about Davidson, who was perfect from the field, scoring 14 points on 5-of-5 shooting. USC maintained their lead by outscoring Wisconsin 21-20 in the period, heading into the final quarter up 51-42.
Junior Dayana Mendes started the fourth quarter with a crucial three-pointer, pushing the lead to 56-42. Despite a late push from Wisconsin, USC's defensive pressure and transition game held strong. The Trojans finished with a 15-3 advantage in fast break points and a 17-10 edge in points off turnovers, sealing the 66-59 victory.
Davidson was the star of the night, finishing with 24 points and six assists, contributing to 37 of USC's 66 points. She has now scored in double figures in 23 consecutive games and reached the 20-point mark 11 times this season. Dunn added 14 points, extending her double-figure streak to 16 games, while Williams posted a career-high 14 rebounds and matched her career best with four blocks.
Looking ahead, USC will travel east to face No. 10 Ohio State and Penn State in their final road trip of the season.
Quotes from the Game
Lindsay Gottlieb, Head Coach: Reflecting on the significance of winning on Cancer Awareness Night, Coach Gottlieb expressed pride in the team's efforts, both on and off the court. "It's a special day to play for something bigger than ourselves," she said, highlighting the team's fundraising efforts for cancer prevention and screening.
On the team's performance, Gottlieb noted, "We were super locked in, especially when shots weren't falling. Laura [Williams] was a dynamo on the boards. It was fun to see our perimeter defense shine against Wisconsin's shooters."
Regarding Williams' development, Gottlieb praised her growth: "With increased minutes, her trajectory has gone up. Her athleticism and effort are elite. Even when mistakes happen, she plays hard and makes up for it."
Laura Williams, R-Fr, Forward: Discussing her development, Williams shared, "Coming back from injury, it took time to find my rhythm. Now, I know how to help the team by rebounding and blocking shots. I'm focused on contributing to wins."
With their sights set on upcoming challenges, the Trojans are poised to continue their impressive run, driven by standout performances and a cohesive team effort.