The regular season finale brings the stakes and the spotlight Sunday when Southern California hosts No. 2 UCLA in the latest installment of the Crosstown Showdown at Galen Center.
The Trojans (17-11, 9-8 Big Ten) enter looking to halt a two-game skid after narrow road losses to the No. 13 Ohio State Buckeyes and Penn State Lady Lions. The Bruins (27-1, 17-0) arrive having already clinched the outright Big Ten regular season title.
When the teams met January 3 in Westwood, the Bruins rolled to an 80-46 victory, holding USC to 27% shooting while placing five players in double figures.
Sunday’s rematch features one of the nation’s most dynamic freshmen against one of its most dominant frontcourts.
USC freshman guard Jazzy Davidson continues to build a national profile. She was named USBWA National Freshman of the Week for the fourth time this season earlier this week after a 24-point outing against Wisconsin and a career-high 32 points at Ohio State.
Davidson leads the Trojans in scoring (18.1), rebounds (6.0), assists (4.4), steals (2.0) and blocks (2.2), the only Division I player to pace her team in all five categories. She has scored in double figures in 25 straight games and has topped 20 points in six consecutive contests.
Senior guard Kara Dunn adds 15.9 points per game and is shooting 37.3% from 3-point range, while sophomore guard Kennedy Smith contributes 11.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.
USC averages 70.9 points per game and forces 17.1 turnovers per contest, converting them into nearly 19 points per game. The Trojans have outrebounded opponents by 1.4 boards per game and average six blocks.
Still, closing games has been an issue of late. USC led after three quarters at Ohio State before surrendering 53 second half points in an 88-83 loss. On Wednesday, the Trojans carried a seven point halftime lead at Penn State but were outscored 46-36 after the break in an 85-82 defeat.
UCLA has been the Big Ten’s most complete team, ranking among national leaders in scoring offense (85.9 points per game), scoring defense (57.4) and field-goal percentage (51.4%).
Senior center Lauren Betts anchors the Bruins inside, averaging 16.7 points and 8.6 rebounds while shooting 56.8% from the field. She recorded her 11th double-double of the season in Sunday’s 80-60 win over Wisconsin.
Guards Kiki Rice (15.3 ppg) and Gabriela Jaquez (14.1 ppg) headline a lineup that features five double-figure scorers, including graduate guard Gianna Kneepkens (13.2 ppg, 45.9% from 3-point range). The Bruins average 22.2 assists per game and own a plus-15.5 rebounding margin.
UCLA has won 17 straight since its only loss of the season to No. 4 Texas, and finished unbeaten at home for the first time since 2016-17.
One key thing to look out for is USC’s perimeter pressure against UCLA’s interior efficiency, which could decide the tempo. The Trojans have recorded 241 steals and 168 blocks, but the Bruins shoot 51.4% as a team and have outscored opponents by 28.5 points per game.
For USC, a victory would provide momentum entering the postseason and avenge its lopsided loss in January. For UCLA, it’s a chance to cap an unbeaten conference run by completing a season sweep of its rival.
In a series defined by intensity and star power, Sunday’s showdown offers both — along with significant March implications.
Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. PT on FS1.