Thursday, December 15
Los Angeles, Calif.
7:00 PM
USC
vs
UCLA
Players Mentioned
G/F
/ Women's Basketball
C
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G/F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
Photo by: Jenny Chuang
USC Women’s Basketball Opens Pac-12 Play vs. No. 10 UCLA Before Test In Texas
December 13, 2022 | Women's Basketball
Trojans host the Bruins at 7 p.m. on Thursday at Galen Center, then head to Dallas to take on Texas on Sunday.
USC (9-0) vs. #10 UCLA (9-1)
Galen Center | Los Angeles, Calif.
Thursday, Dec. 15 | 7 p.m.
Series Record (since 1971-72): USC trails 50-54 (L6)
Last Meeting: L 73-60 [3/2/22 • Las Vegas]
TV: P12 Los Angeles
STREAM | STATS
USC vs. Texas (5-4)
American Airlines Arena | Dallas, Texas
Sunday, Dec. 18 | 2:30 p.m. CT
Series Record (since 1979-80): USC trails 5-8 (W1)
Last Meeting: W 61-540 [11/27/09 • U.S. Virgin Islands]
TV: ESPN2
THIS WEEK
USC puts its undefeated record up against two tough foes this week, with the first test coming in a Pac-12 opener against crosstown rival UCLA. The Trojans (9-0) host the No. 10 Bruins (9-1) at 7 p.m. on Thursday (Dec. 15) at Galen Center as USC looks to snap a six-game skid against UCLA and stay undefeated on the year. From there, the Trojans head to Dallas, Texas, for action at the Pac-12 Coast-to-Coast Challenge, which pits USC against Texas at 2:30 p.m. CT on Sunday (Dec. 18) at American Airlines Arena.
FOLLOW ALONG
Thursday's Pac-12 opener will air on Pac-12 Los Angeles with Mary Murphy and Tracy Warren on the call. USC's Sunday's clash with Texas airs on ESPN2 with Debbie Antonelli and Pam Ward on that call.
IN THE POLLS
USC was receiving votes in the preseason USA Today poll. In the latest round of national rankings, USC is receiving votes in the USA Today Poll (released Dec. 13). USC entered this week rated 33 in the NET rankings.
USC IN THE NATION
USC entered the week ranked as the No. 2 team in the nation in scoring defense, having allowed just 47.9 points per game through its 9-0 start to the season. The Trojans also are top-10 in five other categories: 3-point percentage defense (5th — 23.0), assists per game (9th — 19.1 apg), field goal percentage defense (9th ‚ 32.7%), blocks per game (10th - 5.8 bpg) and scoring margin (10th — 26.1). USC also ranks 12th in the land with 12.8 steals per game.
TROJANS IN THE NATION
Individually, USC enters the week with a few players making their mark on the national stat sheets. With 3.29 blocks per game, Rayah Marshall ranks No. 4 in the nation. Kayla Williams, meanwhile, sits at No. 11 in the land with an assist/turnover ratio of 3.0, and Kadi Sissoko's field goal percentage of 59.8 has her at No. 25 in the nation.
LAST ACTION
USC took control in the second quarter and stayed the course to another double-digit victory in beating visiting San José State 71-44 last week at Galen Center. USC overcame a slow start with a 14-0 rally that spanned the first and second quarters to maneuver into the lead. A 9-0 USC run came later in the second, and the Trojans were up 34-18 at halftime thanks to a 41.4 percent scoring pace. San Jose State was shooting 23.1 percent in the first half, although the Spartans were leading on the boards 21-18 by the break. USC had forced 16 turnovers out of its guest while committing eight of its own in those first 20 minutes of play. The Trojans would wrap the game shooting 44.8 percent from the floor to beat out SJSU's 27.4 percent. The Spartans still won out on the boards by a marked 47-33 margin, but 24 Spartan turnovers along with some stingy USC defense kept the hosts rolling to victory. USC received a game-high 17 points from Kadi Sissoko along with 11 points from Kayla Williams, while San Jose State was led by Aaron Nichols' 10 points and 10 rebounds from Nailea Nicholas.
NOTABLE:
- USC has started the season with a 9-0 record for the first time since the 2018-19 season.
- USC held San Jose State to 27.4% shooting - the lowest for an opponent this season.
- With 17 points, GS Kadi Sissoko scored in double digits for the eighth time this season.
- With 11 points, JR Kayla Williams scored in double digits for the second time this season.
- Williams tied a season high with three 3-pointers made.
- GS Kadi Sissoko tied her season high with three steals.
- SR Alyson Miura set a new season high with five assists.
- JR Koi Love set a new season high with eight points.
- SO Clarice Akunwafo set new season highs with seven points and eight rebounds.
- Akunwafo recorded a block in her fourth consecutive game.
- GS Rokia Doumbia recorded a season high four assists.
- USC won by double digits for the seventh time this season.
TRANSFER TIME
USC grad transfers Kadi Sissoko and Destiny Littleton have emerged as top impact players in their first season as Trojans, with both having scored in double digits in eight of USC's first nine games of its undefeated start to the season.
2022-23 TROJANS
The Women of Troy are a dynamic group with solid returning talent along with a powerful group of newcomers. The 2022-23 roster features All-Pac-12 honoree Rayah Marshall and its top 3-point scorer Alyson Miura returning from last season, in addition to seven transfers ready to hit the court in Cardinal and Gold. USC's group of grad transfers features an NCAA champion in Destiny Littleton along with three standout internationals in Kadi Sissoko, Rokia Doumbia and Okako Adika. USC has also welcomed undergraduate transfers Kayla Williams, Koi Love and Taylor Bigby to the Trojan Family.
RAYAH'S PAC-12 POWER
USC sophomore Rayah Marshall has added to her Pac-12 accolades with her earning of All-Pac-12 Preseason Honorable Mention from the media. The top-ranked freshman in the nation in blocks last season, Marshall is back for more in her second year as a Trojan. Marshall earned All-Pac-12 Defensive Honorable Mention last year, and was selected to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team. She was USC's third leading scorer with 11. 3 points per game while dominating the boards with a team-high 7.7 rebounds per game to go along with her 2.54 blocks per game — ranking her No. 12 overall in the nation in that category.
SIGNED!
JUJU WATKINS | Sierra Canyon HS (Watts, Calif.)
The USC women's basketball program has the stage set for some serious star power with the addition of the nation's top high school player, guard JuJu Watkins, who signed a national letter of intent to join the Women of Troy in 2023. Heralded as the best in the USA, Watkins named the 2022 MaxPreps National Player of the Year as a junior. A native of Watts, Calif., Watkins is sticking to her Los Angeles roots in becoming a Trojan. In addition to her numerous California state accolades, she also brings in significant international experience as a member of the United States U-17 and U-16 national teams. She was named the MVP of the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup in helping Team USA to a gold medal at that event. And in 2021, she was the MVP of the FIBA Americas U16 Championship, where the U.S. squad also won gold. The 6-1 guard has played club ball for Sports Academy Swish GBL. And in her junior season with Sierra Canyon, Watkins piled up state honors as the Gatorade California Girls Basketball Player of the Year, CIF Mc. Basketball State Player of the Year, Los Angeles Times Player of the Year and Los Angeles Daily News Player of the Year in 2022.
MALIA SAMUELS | Garfield HS (Seattle, Wash.)
USC gets another guard stronger with the addition of Seattle product Malia Samuels, who signed a national letter of intent to become a Trojan. A 5-6 guard, Samuels was the 2021-22 3A Washington State Player of the Year as a junior. Also named State Tournament MVP that season, she was an All-State First Team honoree. A regular on all-state honor rolls and the 2022 Metro League Player of the Year, she averaged 16.5 points, 6.3 assist, 6.1 steals and 3.4 rebounds per game at the guard slots. At the club level, she has competed for Greyhounds and is considered the top girls basketball recruit out of the state of Washington in this 2023 class. •
Galen Center | Los Angeles, Calif.
Thursday, Dec. 15 | 7 p.m.
Series Record (since 1971-72): USC trails 50-54 (L6)
Last Meeting: L 73-60 [3/2/22 • Las Vegas]
TV: P12 Los Angeles
STREAM | STATS
USC vs. Texas (5-4)
American Airlines Arena | Dallas, Texas
Sunday, Dec. 18 | 2:30 p.m. CT
Series Record (since 1979-80): USC trails 5-8 (W1)
Last Meeting: W 61-540 [11/27/09 • U.S. Virgin Islands]
TV: ESPN2
THIS WEEK
USC puts its undefeated record up against two tough foes this week, with the first test coming in a Pac-12 opener against crosstown rival UCLA. The Trojans (9-0) host the No. 10 Bruins (9-1) at 7 p.m. on Thursday (Dec. 15) at Galen Center as USC looks to snap a six-game skid against UCLA and stay undefeated on the year. From there, the Trojans head to Dallas, Texas, for action at the Pac-12 Coast-to-Coast Challenge, which pits USC against Texas at 2:30 p.m. CT on Sunday (Dec. 18) at American Airlines Arena.
FOLLOW ALONG
Thursday's Pac-12 opener will air on Pac-12 Los Angeles with Mary Murphy and Tracy Warren on the call. USC's Sunday's clash with Texas airs on ESPN2 with Debbie Antonelli and Pam Ward on that call.
IN THE POLLS
USC was receiving votes in the preseason USA Today poll. In the latest round of national rankings, USC is receiving votes in the USA Today Poll (released Dec. 13). USC entered this week rated 33 in the NET rankings.
USC IN THE NATION
USC entered the week ranked as the No. 2 team in the nation in scoring defense, having allowed just 47.9 points per game through its 9-0 start to the season. The Trojans also are top-10 in five other categories: 3-point percentage defense (5th — 23.0), assists per game (9th — 19.1 apg), field goal percentage defense (9th ‚ 32.7%), blocks per game (10th - 5.8 bpg) and scoring margin (10th — 26.1). USC also ranks 12th in the land with 12.8 steals per game.
TROJANS IN THE NATION
Individually, USC enters the week with a few players making their mark on the national stat sheets. With 3.29 blocks per game, Rayah Marshall ranks No. 4 in the nation. Kayla Williams, meanwhile, sits at No. 11 in the land with an assist/turnover ratio of 3.0, and Kadi Sissoko's field goal percentage of 59.8 has her at No. 25 in the nation.
LAST ACTION
USC took control in the second quarter and stayed the course to another double-digit victory in beating visiting San José State 71-44 last week at Galen Center. USC overcame a slow start with a 14-0 rally that spanned the first and second quarters to maneuver into the lead. A 9-0 USC run came later in the second, and the Trojans were up 34-18 at halftime thanks to a 41.4 percent scoring pace. San Jose State was shooting 23.1 percent in the first half, although the Spartans were leading on the boards 21-18 by the break. USC had forced 16 turnovers out of its guest while committing eight of its own in those first 20 minutes of play. The Trojans would wrap the game shooting 44.8 percent from the floor to beat out SJSU's 27.4 percent. The Spartans still won out on the boards by a marked 47-33 margin, but 24 Spartan turnovers along with some stingy USC defense kept the hosts rolling to victory. USC received a game-high 17 points from Kadi Sissoko along with 11 points from Kayla Williams, while San Jose State was led by Aaron Nichols' 10 points and 10 rebounds from Nailea Nicholas.
NOTABLE:
- USC has started the season with a 9-0 record for the first time since the 2018-19 season.
- USC held San Jose State to 27.4% shooting - the lowest for an opponent this season.
- With 17 points, GS Kadi Sissoko scored in double digits for the eighth time this season.
- With 11 points, JR Kayla Williams scored in double digits for the second time this season.
- Williams tied a season high with three 3-pointers made.
- GS Kadi Sissoko tied her season high with three steals.
- SR Alyson Miura set a new season high with five assists.
- JR Koi Love set a new season high with eight points.
- SO Clarice Akunwafo set new season highs with seven points and eight rebounds.
- Akunwafo recorded a block in her fourth consecutive game.
- GS Rokia Doumbia recorded a season high four assists.
- USC won by double digits for the seventh time this season.
TRANSFER TIME
USC grad transfers Kadi Sissoko and Destiny Littleton have emerged as top impact players in their first season as Trojans, with both having scored in double digits in eight of USC's first nine games of its undefeated start to the season.
2022-23 TROJANS
The Women of Troy are a dynamic group with solid returning talent along with a powerful group of newcomers. The 2022-23 roster features All-Pac-12 honoree Rayah Marshall and its top 3-point scorer Alyson Miura returning from last season, in addition to seven transfers ready to hit the court in Cardinal and Gold. USC's group of grad transfers features an NCAA champion in Destiny Littleton along with three standout internationals in Kadi Sissoko, Rokia Doumbia and Okako Adika. USC has also welcomed undergraduate transfers Kayla Williams, Koi Love and Taylor Bigby to the Trojan Family.
RAYAH'S PAC-12 POWER
USC sophomore Rayah Marshall has added to her Pac-12 accolades with her earning of All-Pac-12 Preseason Honorable Mention from the media. The top-ranked freshman in the nation in blocks last season, Marshall is back for more in her second year as a Trojan. Marshall earned All-Pac-12 Defensive Honorable Mention last year, and was selected to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team. She was USC's third leading scorer with 11. 3 points per game while dominating the boards with a team-high 7.7 rebounds per game to go along with her 2.54 blocks per game — ranking her No. 12 overall in the nation in that category.
SIGNED!
JUJU WATKINS | Sierra Canyon HS (Watts, Calif.)
The USC women's basketball program has the stage set for some serious star power with the addition of the nation's top high school player, guard JuJu Watkins, who signed a national letter of intent to join the Women of Troy in 2023. Heralded as the best in the USA, Watkins named the 2022 MaxPreps National Player of the Year as a junior. A native of Watts, Calif., Watkins is sticking to her Los Angeles roots in becoming a Trojan. In addition to her numerous California state accolades, she also brings in significant international experience as a member of the United States U-17 and U-16 national teams. She was named the MVP of the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup in helping Team USA to a gold medal at that event. And in 2021, she was the MVP of the FIBA Americas U16 Championship, where the U.S. squad also won gold. The 6-1 guard has played club ball for Sports Academy Swish GBL. And in her junior season with Sierra Canyon, Watkins piled up state honors as the Gatorade California Girls Basketball Player of the Year, CIF Mc. Basketball State Player of the Year, Los Angeles Times Player of the Year and Los Angeles Daily News Player of the Year in 2022.
MALIA SAMUELS | Garfield HS (Seattle, Wash.)
USC gets another guard stronger with the addition of Seattle product Malia Samuels, who signed a national letter of intent to become a Trojan. A 5-6 guard, Samuels was the 2021-22 3A Washington State Player of the Year as a junior. Also named State Tournament MVP that season, she was an All-State First Team honoree. A regular on all-state honor rolls and the 2022 Metro League Player of the Year, she averaged 16.5 points, 6.3 assist, 6.1 steals and 3.4 rebounds per game at the guard slots. At the club level, she has competed for Greyhounds and is considered the top girls basketball recruit out of the state of Washington in this 2023 class. •
Women's Basketball Head Coach Lindsay Gottlieb Media Availability 9/18/25
Thursday, September 18
USC WBB's Lindsay Gottlieb, Rayah Marshall and Talia von Oelhoffen | Trojan Press Conference
Monday, March 31
USC WBB heads to the Elite 8, defeats Kansas State in Sweet 16 | Rapid Reaction
Saturday, March 29
Kennedy Smith on USC WBB heading to the Elite Eight, Trojan freshmen getting the job done
Saturday, March 29
