USC Women’s Basketball Dominates Cal Poly in Statement Win at Galen Center
LOS ANGELES - USC women’s basketball didn’t just bounce back on Wednesday night - they made a statement. The No.
19 Trojans steamrolled Cal Poly, 86-39, in a wire-to-wire win at the Galen Center that showcased their depth, defensive tenacity, and star power. With the victory, USC improved to 8-3 on the season and stayed perfect all-time against the Mustangs at 5-0.
This one was never in doubt. USC came out firing, building a 25-10 lead after the first quarter and stretching it to 45-23 by halftime.
But it was the third quarter where the Trojans really turned up the heat, ripping off a 19-0 run and outscoring Cal Poly 26-5 in the frame. The defense was suffocating - USC forced 27 turnovers and turned them into 39 points, while dominating the glass with a 44-29 rebounding edge.
Londynn Jones Lights It Up
Senior guard Londynn Jones was the engine behind USC’s offensive explosion. She poured in a career-high 28 points on an ultra-efficient 11-of-16 shooting, including five makes from beyond the arc.
She also added a season-high four steals, crossing the 100-steal mark for her career. Jones was in full command - confident, aggressive, and locked in on both ends of the floor.
Jazzy Davidson’s All-Around Brilliance
Freshman phenom Jazzy Davidson continues to look like a seasoned vet. She stuffed the stat sheet again with 17 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and a career-high six steals.
She’s now scored in double figures in eight straight games and 10 of her first 11 collegiate contests. Davidson also extended her streak of games with at least one block to 11 - a testament to her two-way impact.
Her +46 plus-minus on the night tells the story: when she’s on the floor, good things happen.
Bench Production Hits a New High
USC’s bench came through in a big way, combining for 45 points - a new season high and the third time this year the reserves have cracked 40. That kind of depth is going to be critical as the Trojans gear up for the grind of conference play.
Redshirt freshman Laura Williams had a breakout performance with career highs in points (8), field goals made (4), and rebounds (5). Junior Yakiya Milton made her presence felt defensively with a career-high four blocks and matched her career best with four made free throws. Meanwhile, junior Malia Samuels dished out a career-high seven assists, adding six points and two steals in a strong all-around effort.
Coach Gottlieb Praises Response, Looks Ahead
After a tough loss earlier in the week, head coach Lindsay Gottlieb was pleased with how her team responded.
“I was proud of our team’s response,” Gottlieb said. “We had a couple of good days of practice and came out here and did what we needed to do.
Even with a lead, we felt like we could be better - and we were, especially in that third quarter. Londynn and Yakiya had great games, and now we’re excited to keep it moving.”
Big Ten on the Horizon
With nonconference play nearly wrapped, the Trojans are turning their focus to the road ahead - and that road runs through the Big Ten. Senior leader Londynn Jones knows what’s coming and welcomes the challenge.
“I think that kind of motivates us,” Jones said. “We’re in one of the best conferences in basketball.
Sold-out crowds, great competition - that’s what you want. It’s about staying true to who we are, executing the game plan, and communicating.
That’s been a big focus for us, and it’s only going to help as we move forward.”
What’s Next
USC closes out nonconference play on Sunday, Dec. 21, when the Trojans take on Cal in the Invisalign Bay Area Classic at the Chase Center. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. PT on ESPN.
With momentum on their side and key players hitting their stride, USC looks ready to make some noise as Big Ten play looms. If Wednesday night was any indication, this team is just getting started.