The No. 18 USC Trojans women’s basketball team continued this season with a dramatic statement, erasing an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat NC State 69–68 in a marquee matchup at the Ally Tipoff on Sunday.
USC started the game 2-for-13 from the field, showing early offensive struggles. But, the Trojans surged late in the final seconds of the first quarter when senior guard Londynn Jones drilled a three-pointer, cutting the Wolfpack’s early lead to just two points. Jones, who finished the half with 14 points, buried a pull-up jumper with 34 seconds remaining in the second quarter, but NC State junior guard Zoe Brooks answered at the buzzer, sending USC into halftime trailing 34-33.
Freshman guard Jazzy Davidson emerged as the catalyst in the second half, showcasing the five-star confidence USC expected when she committed to the university. Davidson opened the third quarter 4-for-4, including a smooth jumper and a clutch three-pointer assisted by junior forward Yakiya Milton to tie up the game 46-46. But NC State strung together four straight buckets to close the quarter on top 58-50.
Momentum shifted back to the Trojans who refused to fade in the fourth. Sophomore guard Kennedy Smith ignited USC with a pair of decisive layups at the rim, narrowing the margin while USC’s defense tightened into postseason form. With less than two minutes remaining, Jones splashed a deep three to make it a one possession game, firing up the USC bench and the Trojan crowd inside Spectrum Center.
Trailing by one with the shot clock ticking down, Davidson seized the moment. The freshman cut straight down the middle of the paint, received a feed from Smith and scored the go-ahead layup with seven seconds remaining, giving USC its second lead since early in the second half.
The Trojans’ defense then delivered the finishing blow. Junior guard Malia Samuels jumped a passing lane to force a turnover, and Smith secured the final steal as time expired, closing out with a comeback win that silenced the Wolfpack.
Despite being outrebounded 54-40 and shooting 36.8% compared to NC State’s 39.4%, USC’s defensive execution in crucial moments, including forcing 18 NC State turnovers ultimately determined the outcome.
Davidson ended the night with 21 points and four assists, while NC State’s Brooks paced USC with 24 points and six assists.
USC returns to Los Angeles to face the No. 2 University of South Carolina Gamecocks in The Real SC on Nov. 15 at Crypto.com Arena. The Trojans look to carry confidence, composure and defensive grit with their young rotation.