Friday, February 3
Los Angeles, Calif.
7:00 PM
USC
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Arizona State
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Photo by: John McGillen
USC Women’s Basketball Returns to Galen Center To Host Arizona Schools
January 31, 2023 | Women's Basketball
Trojans face the Sun Devils on Friday night before taking aim at another ranked foe in No. 22 Arizona on Sunday.
USC (16-5, 6-4) vs. Arizona State (7-12, 0-8)
Galen Center | Friday, Feb. 3 | 7 p.m.
Series Record (since 1977-78): USC leads 59-28 (W3)
Last Meeting: W 60-58 [2/24/22 • Tempe]
Last USC loss: 63-58 [12/4/21 • Tempe]
TV: P12 Arizona (Talent: Anne Marie Anderson & Tammy Blackburn)
STREAM | STATS
USC vs. #22 Arizona (16-5, 6-4)
Galen Center | Sunday, Feb. 5 | 12 p.m.
Series Record (since 1977-78): USC leads 59-28 (L1)
Last Meeting: L 68-59 [2/26/22 • Tucson]
Last USC win: 76-67 [1/9/22 • Galen Center]
TV: P12 Arizona (Talent: J.B. Long & Mary Murphy)
STREAM | STATS
THIS WEEK
After a four-game road run, USC returns home to Galen Center for more Pac-12 action this week. The Trojans (16-5, 6-4 Pac-12) first set up to host Arizona State (7-12, 0-8) at 7 p.m. on Friday (Feb. 3). USC then takes aim at a claiming a third win over a ranked opponent when the Trojans take on No. 22 Arizona (16-5, 6-4) at 12 p.m. on Sunday (Feb. 5). The Trojans can claim a third win over a ranked opponent if they are able to upset the Wildcats this weekend.
FOLLOW ALONG
Friday's USC-ASU clash will be broadcast on Pac-12 Arizona with Anne Marie Anderson and Tammy Blackburn on the call. Sunday's game vs. the Wildcats will air on Pac-12 Arizona with J.B. Long and Mary Murphy on that call. Games will also stream live at pac-12.com/live.
IN THE POLLS
USC is receiving votes in both polls in the latest round of national rankings (as of Jan. 31). USC entered this week rated 27 in the NET rankings. USC was receiving votes in the preseason USA Today poll.
USC IN THE NATION
USC entered the week ranked as the No. 7 team in the nation in scoring defense, holding teams to an average of 53.0 points per game through its 16-5 start to the season. The Trojans also are top-10 in three other categories: 3-point percentage defense (8th — 25.1%), blocks per game (8th - 5.5 bpg) and field goal percentage defense (10th‚ 34.9%). USC also ranks 48th in the land with 9.9 steals per game and is 49th with a 3-point percentage of 34.7.
TROJANS IN THE NATION
Individually, USC entered the week with players making their marks on the national stat sheets. With 3.0 blocks per game, Rayah Marshall ranks No. 3 in the nation. She's also No. 6 in total blocks (57) and No. 17 in total double-doubles with 11. Marshall also is making her mark on the boards, ranked No. 12 with her 10.8 rebounds per game and No. 10 with 8.0 defensive rebounds per game. Two other Trojans in the nation's top-40 to date are Destiny Littleton, who ranks 27th with a free-throw percentage of 88.4, and Kadi Sissoko, whose field goal percentage of 54.6 ranks her No. 37 in the land.
Tammy Blackburn's Buck-a-Board Challenge
In honor of Pac-12 sports programs who have shown their unwavering support, Pac-12 Networks broadcaster Tammy Blackburn is taking on cancer with her Buck-a-Board Challenge to support the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Throughout the month of February, Tammy will donate $1 for every rebound in each game she broadcasts. The mission of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund is to raise money for life saving cancer research, underserved programs that provide access to quality cancer healthcare and unite people in the fight against all cancers affecting women. With a $15,000 goal, Tammy is encouraging coaches, players, family, friends and fans to match her pledge or make a donation of any amount at charity.pledgeit.org/tammyb. #boxoutcancer
DESTINY DOES IT
Guard Destiny Littleton grabbed her first honor as the Pac-12 Player of the Week after her instrumental role in leading the Trojans to a sweep of the Bay Area schools, topped off with a statement-making upset of No. 2 Stanford at Galen Center. Littleton tallied a game-high 18 points in both wins and served up five assists against Cal and six against Stanford. In the Trojans' 55-46 win over the Cardinal, Littleton played the full 40 minutes to help anchor USC's first win over an opponent ranked No. 2 or better since 2008. USC's upset also snapped the Cardinal's 39-game win streak against Pac-12 opponents. Defensively, USC held Stanford to its lowest point total since 2016. It was USC's largest margin of victory over Stanford since a 12-point win in 1993. Littleton recorded double digits in three straight game as she leads the team with 13 double-digit outings this season. She is the second Trojan to be named Pac-12 Player of the Week this season and 52nd all-time, following teammate Rayah Marshall's win on Jan. 2.
RAYAH REIGNS AS PAC-12 PLAYER OF THE WEEK
USC sophomore Rayah Marshall was the driving force for the Trojans in a key Pac-12 road split, ringing in the new year with her first career selection as the Pac-12 Player of the Week on Jan. 2. The versatile forward made her mark in the USC history books with the most points scored by a Trojan since 2019 when she pinned up a career-high 33 points in the Trojans' win at Oregon State on Dec. 30. She'd haul in 16 rebounds in that one and keep her blocks streak alive and well with four in USC's victory. It was the just the seventh 30-point and 15-rebound double-double by any player in the NCAA this season and the first such outing by a Trojan since at least 1999-2000. Marshall also accounted for 16 of USC's 18 points in the fourth quarter against the Beavers and had over half USC's total team rebounds in the win. At No. 17 Oregon on New Year's Day, Marshall continued her blocks streak in stretching her run to 34 straight games with at least one block while also tallying her fifth consecutive double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. It is the first career Pac-12 Player of the Week honor for Marshall and the 51st overall for the Women of Troy all-time.
BEATING THE BUFFS
USC knocked off a second ranked opponent in taking down No. 25 Colorado on a hot-shooting effort despite the cold temperatures outdoors, beating the Buffaloes 71-54 in Boulder, Colo. USC's Destiny Littleton had a career day in hitting six 3-pointers — second most in a single game by a Trojan — to help put Colorado on its heels as USC pushed its way to victory with a strong second half. The Trojans would close out the first and second quarters with scoring rallies that helped USC lead it 26-22 at the break. USC had heated up from a sluggish start to shoot 37.9 percent in the first half, while Colorado cooled a bit and was at 34.5 percent by halftime. The Trojans had the edge on the boards 20-19, with Kadi Sissoko leading the way with eight first-half rebounds for USC. The Trojans turned it up a couple notches in the second half, with Destiny Littleton nailing four 3-pointers in the third quarter to get USC in position. USC wrapped the game shooting 44.8 percent overall on a 47-percent effort from 3-point range. Colorado finished up at 40.4 decent overall, and was even on the board with the Trojans at 36 apiece. Littleton's season-high 21 points led the way for USC, who also received double-doubles from Rayah Marshall (19 points, 10 rebounds) and Kadi Sissoko (18 points, 12 rebounds). Colorado was paced by Aaronette Vonleh's 16 points and 13 from Quay Miller. Rayah Marshall tallied USC's first four points of the day before CU managed back-to-back buckets to creep ahead 9-4 at the 4:11 mark of the first. That seemed to shake the Trojans into action, as USC fired off an 8-0 run with Alyson Miura and Destiny Littleton burying threes around a bucket from Kadi Sissoko to lead it 14-9 by the end of the first. The Buffs battled back with a 6-0 surge to sneak back ahead before a three-point play converted by Rayah Marshall got USC back on top, 17-15 at 6:35. The teams traded small surges next, with Colorado going up 21-17 and then USC wrapping the half on a 9-1 run. Another 3-pointer from Littleton sparked the Trojan push to the buzzer, knotting it at 22-22 before Marshall and Sissoko knocked down baskets to lift USC ahead 26-22 for halftime. Littleton's hot hand delivered a trio of 3-pointers in just under four minutes, including back-to-back blasts to build out a 41-27 USC advantage in the third. She'd save her career-high sixth three for the final minute of the third, and USC would lead it 52-41 entering the fourth. The Trojans converted on a pair of three-point plays from Marshall and Sissoko to kick of the fourth and establish the Trojans' position, up 58-41. USC stayed the course, standing tall from the free-throw line in the final stretch to wrap up the 71-54 victory.
NOTABLE:
- Colorado's nine points scored in the first quarter marked the 17th time this season that USC has allowed fewer than 10 points in a quarter.
- GS Destiny Littleton made a career-high six 3-pointers — second most ever by a Trojan (last: 2020)
- With a season-high 21 points, Littleton scored in double digits for a team-leading 16th time this season.
- With two blocks, SO Rayah Marshall has recorded at least one block in 42 consecutive games played.
- With 19 points and 10 rebounds, Marshall recorded her 17th career double-double and 11th this season.
- With 18 points and 12 rebounds, GS Kadi Sissoko recorded her third double-double of the season.
- USC's win over No. 25 Colorado marks the second top-25 victory for theTrojans this season (last: def. No. 2 Stanford, Jan. 15)
- USC's nine 3-pointers made marked the most against a Pac-12 opponent this season.
TOP-2 TAKEDOWN
USC shocked the No. 2 team in the nation, handing Stanford just its second loss of the year as the Trojans never trailed the Cardinal on the way to a 55-46 victory today at Galen Center. It was the first win for USC over a No. 2 opponent since the Trojans topped Stanford at home in 2008 and second win over an AP top-five opponent under head coach Lindsay Gottlieb. The home sweep was anchored by Destiny Littleton, who scored another game-high 18 points to help her Trojans improve to 13-4 overall and to 3-3 in Pac-12 play. USC never trailed in the first half after taking a quick 6-0 lead on Stanford. The Trojans and the Cardinal each shot 29 percent overall in the first twenty minutes, but USC had landed three 3-pointers to just one by Stanford to help lead it 24-19 at halftime. USC was up 20-18 on the boards to that point to help keep the Cardinal at bay. Try as it may, Stanford was unable to shake the Trojans, who built a 10-point lead entering the fourth and found the points they needed to stay in front. By the final buzzer, USC had shot just 27.3 percent from the floor, but was 42.1 percent from 3-point range (8-of-19) to counter the Cardinal's 30.9 percent overall shooting and 4-of-21 effort from beyond the arc. USC committed just seven turnovers to 14 by the Cardinal, who did win out on the boards 40-36. USC received a game-high 18 points from Destiny Littleton along with the first double-double of Okako Adika's season as a Trojan on 11 points and 11 rebounds. USC played just seven Trojans in the game, while Stanford had 13 Cardinal see action, with Cameron Brink the only one in double digits with 11 points and 14 rebounds on the day.
NOTABLE:
- USC defeated a team ranked No. 2 or better for the first time since January 6, 2008 (defeated No. 2 Stanford 73-72).
- USC collects its second victory vs. an AP top-five team under head coach Lindsay Gottlieb (defeated No. 4 Arizona January 9, 2022)
- USC secured its first victory over Stanford since the 2014 Pac-12 Tournament semifinals (March 8), snapping a 14-game losing streak to the Cardinal.
- USC's seven turnovers were a season low.
- Stanford's four points scored in the first quarter marked the 14th time this season that USC has allowed fewer than 10 points in a quarter.
- USC held Stanford to four first-quarter points, the fewest Stanford has scored in a quarter all season.
- Stanford's four first-quarter points tied the fewest allowed by USC (last vs. CSU Bakersfield) this season.
- USC held Stanford to a season-low halftime score of 19 points.
- USC held Stanford to a season-low 46 points, a season-low 30% (17-55) from the field and a season low 19% (4-21) from three.
- Stanford's 46 points marks the ninth time USC held an opponent under 50 points this season and was the fewest Stanford has scored in a game since 2016.
- For the seventh time this season USC never trailed during the game.
- USC's eight 3-pointers made were the most against a Pac-12 opponent this season.
- USC's 27%(15-55) from the field is the lowest in program history during a victory.
- USC completed their first home sweep of the Bay Area schools (California and Stanford) since the 2003-04 season.
- The 55-46 win was UCS's largest margin of victory over Stanford since a 67-55 home win on January 18, 1993.
- With 18 pts GS Destiny Littleton scored in double digits for the 13th time this season — it was her second straight game with a game-high 18 points.
- RS FR Taylor Bigby tied her career high of three 3-pointers made.
- GS Okako Adika earned her first double-double at USC with 11 pts and 11 rebounds (third career double-double).
SMART START
The USC squad set new academic records with its performance in the classroom in Fall 2022. The group's Fall 2022 semester GPA of 3.344 and cumulative team GPA of 3.329 were the best marks on record for the Women of Troy.
TRANSFER TIME
USC grad transfers Kadi Sissoko and Destiny Littleton have emerged as top impact players in their first season as Trojans. Sissoko and Littleton are averaging 15.4 and 12.8 points per game, respectively. Littleton has provided double digits in a team-high 16 games this season, and Sissoko has done so in 14 games in spite of being sidelined for five games with injuries. Sissoko also has recorded three games with 20+ points and has laid claim to three double-doubles as a Trojan to date.
COMING UP BIG
USC redshirt freshman transfer Taylor Bigby is hitting her stride as a Trojan, now with at least one 3-pointer scored in seven of USC's last 11 games. She averaged 2.8 points per game in the first five games of the year, and has averaged 6.4 ppg in the last 16 games thanks in part to a career-high 21 points vs. Merrimack.
RAYAH'S PAC-12 POWER
USC sophomore Rayah Marshall 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 in 2021-22. So far in her 2022-23 sophomore campaign, Marshall has made an indelible mark with her 33-point outing in USC's win at Oregon State. Averaging 14.1 points and 10.8 rebounds per game to date, she's collected 11 double-doubles this season and is one of the nation's top blockers with her 3.0 blocks per game.
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.
MID-YEAR MAGIC
USC's backcourt gets another boost with the addition of 5-9 guard Dominique Onu, who has come to Troy as a mid-year transfer from UCLA. After two seasons with the Bruins, the Florida native joined the Trojans in January 2023 and will compete for USC starting in Fall 2023. Ranked as the No. 26 recruit in the nation in 2021, Onu prepped at Blair Academy in New Jersey before signing on with UCLA, where she enrolled early as a true freshman in 2020-21. Onu played in 16 games as a freshman and in 27 with seven starts as a sophomore last season. She averaged 5.4 points per game in her sophomore season and set her career high with 16 points at Oregon. A native of Jacksonville, Fla., Onu helped Blair Academy win the NJISAA State title as a junior in 2020, averaging 15.8 points per game that year.
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 | Friday, Feb. 3 | 7 p.m.
Series Record (since 1977-78): USC leads 59-28 (W3)
Last Meeting: W 60-58 [2/24/22 • Tempe]
Last USC loss: 63-58 [12/4/21 • Tempe]
TV: P12 Arizona (Talent: Anne Marie Anderson & Tammy Blackburn)
STREAM | STATS
USC vs. #22 Arizona (16-5, 6-4)
Galen Center | Sunday, Feb. 5 | 12 p.m.
Series Record (since 1977-78): USC leads 59-28 (L1)
Last Meeting: L 68-59 [2/26/22 • Tucson]
Last USC win: 76-67 [1/9/22 • Galen Center]
TV: P12 Arizona (Talent: J.B. Long & Mary Murphy)
STREAM | STATS
THIS WEEK
After a four-game road run, USC returns home to Galen Center for more Pac-12 action this week. The Trojans (16-5, 6-4 Pac-12) first set up to host Arizona State (7-12, 0-8) at 7 p.m. on Friday (Feb. 3). USC then takes aim at a claiming a third win over a ranked opponent when the Trojans take on No. 22 Arizona (16-5, 6-4) at 12 p.m. on Sunday (Feb. 5). The Trojans can claim a third win over a ranked opponent if they are able to upset the Wildcats this weekend.
FOLLOW ALONG
Friday's USC-ASU clash will be broadcast on Pac-12 Arizona with Anne Marie Anderson and Tammy Blackburn on the call. Sunday's game vs. the Wildcats will air on Pac-12 Arizona with J.B. Long and Mary Murphy on that call. Games will also stream live at pac-12.com/live.
IN THE POLLS
USC is receiving votes in both polls in the latest round of national rankings (as of Jan. 31). USC entered this week rated 27 in the NET rankings. USC was receiving votes in the preseason USA Today poll.
USC IN THE NATION
USC entered the week ranked as the No. 7 team in the nation in scoring defense, holding teams to an average of 53.0 points per game through its 16-5 start to the season. The Trojans also are top-10 in three other categories: 3-point percentage defense (8th — 25.1%), blocks per game (8th - 5.5 bpg) and field goal percentage defense (10th‚ 34.9%). USC also ranks 48th in the land with 9.9 steals per game and is 49th with a 3-point percentage of 34.7.
TROJANS IN THE NATION
Individually, USC entered the week with players making their marks on the national stat sheets. With 3.0 blocks per game, Rayah Marshall ranks No. 3 in the nation. She's also No. 6 in total blocks (57) and No. 17 in total double-doubles with 11. Marshall also is making her mark on the boards, ranked No. 12 with her 10.8 rebounds per game and No. 10 with 8.0 defensive rebounds per game. Two other Trojans in the nation's top-40 to date are Destiny Littleton, who ranks 27th with a free-throw percentage of 88.4, and Kadi Sissoko, whose field goal percentage of 54.6 ranks her No. 37 in the land.
Tammy Blackburn's Buck-a-Board Challenge
In honor of Pac-12 sports programs who have shown their unwavering support, Pac-12 Networks broadcaster Tammy Blackburn is taking on cancer with her Buck-a-Board Challenge to support the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Throughout the month of February, Tammy will donate $1 for every rebound in each game she broadcasts. The mission of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund is to raise money for life saving cancer research, underserved programs that provide access to quality cancer healthcare and unite people in the fight against all cancers affecting women. With a $15,000 goal, Tammy is encouraging coaches, players, family, friends and fans to match her pledge or make a donation of any amount at charity.pledgeit.org/tammyb. #boxoutcancer
DESTINY DOES IT
Guard Destiny Littleton grabbed her first honor as the Pac-12 Player of the Week after her instrumental role in leading the Trojans to a sweep of the Bay Area schools, topped off with a statement-making upset of No. 2 Stanford at Galen Center. Littleton tallied a game-high 18 points in both wins and served up five assists against Cal and six against Stanford. In the Trojans' 55-46 win over the Cardinal, Littleton played the full 40 minutes to help anchor USC's first win over an opponent ranked No. 2 or better since 2008. USC's upset also snapped the Cardinal's 39-game win streak against Pac-12 opponents. Defensively, USC held Stanford to its lowest point total since 2016. It was USC's largest margin of victory over Stanford since a 12-point win in 1993. Littleton recorded double digits in three straight game as she leads the team with 13 double-digit outings this season. She is the second Trojan to be named Pac-12 Player of the Week this season and 52nd all-time, following teammate Rayah Marshall's win on Jan. 2.
RAYAH REIGNS AS PAC-12 PLAYER OF THE WEEK
USC sophomore Rayah Marshall was the driving force for the Trojans in a key Pac-12 road split, ringing in the new year with her first career selection as the Pac-12 Player of the Week on Jan. 2. The versatile forward made her mark in the USC history books with the most points scored by a Trojan since 2019 when she pinned up a career-high 33 points in the Trojans' win at Oregon State on Dec. 30. She'd haul in 16 rebounds in that one and keep her blocks streak alive and well with four in USC's victory. It was the just the seventh 30-point and 15-rebound double-double by any player in the NCAA this season and the first such outing by a Trojan since at least 1999-2000. Marshall also accounted for 16 of USC's 18 points in the fourth quarter against the Beavers and had over half USC's total team rebounds in the win. At No. 17 Oregon on New Year's Day, Marshall continued her blocks streak in stretching her run to 34 straight games with at least one block while also tallying her fifth consecutive double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. It is the first career Pac-12 Player of the Week honor for Marshall and the 51st overall for the Women of Troy all-time.
BEATING THE BUFFS
USC knocked off a second ranked opponent in taking down No. 25 Colorado on a hot-shooting effort despite the cold temperatures outdoors, beating the Buffaloes 71-54 in Boulder, Colo. USC's Destiny Littleton had a career day in hitting six 3-pointers — second most in a single game by a Trojan — to help put Colorado on its heels as USC pushed its way to victory with a strong second half. The Trojans would close out the first and second quarters with scoring rallies that helped USC lead it 26-22 at the break. USC had heated up from a sluggish start to shoot 37.9 percent in the first half, while Colorado cooled a bit and was at 34.5 percent by halftime. The Trojans had the edge on the boards 20-19, with Kadi Sissoko leading the way with eight first-half rebounds for USC. The Trojans turned it up a couple notches in the second half, with Destiny Littleton nailing four 3-pointers in the third quarter to get USC in position. USC wrapped the game shooting 44.8 percent overall on a 47-percent effort from 3-point range. Colorado finished up at 40.4 decent overall, and was even on the board with the Trojans at 36 apiece. Littleton's season-high 21 points led the way for USC, who also received double-doubles from Rayah Marshall (19 points, 10 rebounds) and Kadi Sissoko (18 points, 12 rebounds). Colorado was paced by Aaronette Vonleh's 16 points and 13 from Quay Miller. Rayah Marshall tallied USC's first four points of the day before CU managed back-to-back buckets to creep ahead 9-4 at the 4:11 mark of the first. That seemed to shake the Trojans into action, as USC fired off an 8-0 run with Alyson Miura and Destiny Littleton burying threes around a bucket from Kadi Sissoko to lead it 14-9 by the end of the first. The Buffs battled back with a 6-0 surge to sneak back ahead before a three-point play converted by Rayah Marshall got USC back on top, 17-15 at 6:35. The teams traded small surges next, with Colorado going up 21-17 and then USC wrapping the half on a 9-1 run. Another 3-pointer from Littleton sparked the Trojan push to the buzzer, knotting it at 22-22 before Marshall and Sissoko knocked down baskets to lift USC ahead 26-22 for halftime. Littleton's hot hand delivered a trio of 3-pointers in just under four minutes, including back-to-back blasts to build out a 41-27 USC advantage in the third. She'd save her career-high sixth three for the final minute of the third, and USC would lead it 52-41 entering the fourth. The Trojans converted on a pair of three-point plays from Marshall and Sissoko to kick of the fourth and establish the Trojans' position, up 58-41. USC stayed the course, standing tall from the free-throw line in the final stretch to wrap up the 71-54 victory.
NOTABLE:
- Colorado's nine points scored in the first quarter marked the 17th time this season that USC has allowed fewer than 10 points in a quarter.
- GS Destiny Littleton made a career-high six 3-pointers — second most ever by a Trojan (last: 2020)
- With a season-high 21 points, Littleton scored in double digits for a team-leading 16th time this season.
- With two blocks, SO Rayah Marshall has recorded at least one block in 42 consecutive games played.
- With 19 points and 10 rebounds, Marshall recorded her 17th career double-double and 11th this season.
- With 18 points and 12 rebounds, GS Kadi Sissoko recorded her third double-double of the season.
- USC's win over No. 25 Colorado marks the second top-25 victory for theTrojans this season (last: def. No. 2 Stanford, Jan. 15)
- USC's nine 3-pointers made marked the most against a Pac-12 opponent this season.
TOP-2 TAKEDOWN
USC shocked the No. 2 team in the nation, handing Stanford just its second loss of the year as the Trojans never trailed the Cardinal on the way to a 55-46 victory today at Galen Center. It was the first win for USC over a No. 2 opponent since the Trojans topped Stanford at home in 2008 and second win over an AP top-five opponent under head coach Lindsay Gottlieb. The home sweep was anchored by Destiny Littleton, who scored another game-high 18 points to help her Trojans improve to 13-4 overall and to 3-3 in Pac-12 play. USC never trailed in the first half after taking a quick 6-0 lead on Stanford. The Trojans and the Cardinal each shot 29 percent overall in the first twenty minutes, but USC had landed three 3-pointers to just one by Stanford to help lead it 24-19 at halftime. USC was up 20-18 on the boards to that point to help keep the Cardinal at bay. Try as it may, Stanford was unable to shake the Trojans, who built a 10-point lead entering the fourth and found the points they needed to stay in front. By the final buzzer, USC had shot just 27.3 percent from the floor, but was 42.1 percent from 3-point range (8-of-19) to counter the Cardinal's 30.9 percent overall shooting and 4-of-21 effort from beyond the arc. USC committed just seven turnovers to 14 by the Cardinal, who did win out on the boards 40-36. USC received a game-high 18 points from Destiny Littleton along with the first double-double of Okako Adika's season as a Trojan on 11 points and 11 rebounds. USC played just seven Trojans in the game, while Stanford had 13 Cardinal see action, with Cameron Brink the only one in double digits with 11 points and 14 rebounds on the day.
NOTABLE:
- USC defeated a team ranked No. 2 or better for the first time since January 6, 2008 (defeated No. 2 Stanford 73-72).
- USC collects its second victory vs. an AP top-five team under head coach Lindsay Gottlieb (defeated No. 4 Arizona January 9, 2022)
- USC secured its first victory over Stanford since the 2014 Pac-12 Tournament semifinals (March 8), snapping a 14-game losing streak to the Cardinal.
- USC's seven turnovers were a season low.
- Stanford's four points scored in the first quarter marked the 14th time this season that USC has allowed fewer than 10 points in a quarter.
- USC held Stanford to four first-quarter points, the fewest Stanford has scored in a quarter all season.
- Stanford's four first-quarter points tied the fewest allowed by USC (last vs. CSU Bakersfield) this season.
- USC held Stanford to a season-low halftime score of 19 points.
- USC held Stanford to a season-low 46 points, a season-low 30% (17-55) from the field and a season low 19% (4-21) from three.
- Stanford's 46 points marks the ninth time USC held an opponent under 50 points this season and was the fewest Stanford has scored in a game since 2016.
- For the seventh time this season USC never trailed during the game.
- USC's eight 3-pointers made were the most against a Pac-12 opponent this season.
- USC's 27%(15-55) from the field is the lowest in program history during a victory.
- USC completed their first home sweep of the Bay Area schools (California and Stanford) since the 2003-04 season.
- The 55-46 win was UCS's largest margin of victory over Stanford since a 67-55 home win on January 18, 1993.
- With 18 pts GS Destiny Littleton scored in double digits for the 13th time this season — it was her second straight game with a game-high 18 points.
- RS FR Taylor Bigby tied her career high of three 3-pointers made.
- GS Okako Adika earned her first double-double at USC with 11 pts and 11 rebounds (third career double-double).
SMART START
The USC squad set new academic records with its performance in the classroom in Fall 2022. The group's Fall 2022 semester GPA of 3.344 and cumulative team GPA of 3.329 were the best marks on record for the Women of Troy.
TRANSFER TIME
USC grad transfers Kadi Sissoko and Destiny Littleton have emerged as top impact players in their first season as Trojans. Sissoko and Littleton are averaging 15.4 and 12.8 points per game, respectively. Littleton has provided double digits in a team-high 16 games this season, and Sissoko has done so in 14 games in spite of being sidelined for five games with injuries. Sissoko also has recorded three games with 20+ points and has laid claim to three double-doubles as a Trojan to date.
COMING UP BIG
USC redshirt freshman transfer Taylor Bigby is hitting her stride as a Trojan, now with at least one 3-pointer scored in seven of USC's last 11 games. She averaged 2.8 points per game in the first five games of the year, and has averaged 6.4 ppg in the last 16 games thanks in part to a career-high 21 points vs. Merrimack.
RAYAH'S PAC-12 POWER
USC sophomore Rayah Marshall 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 in 2021-22. So far in her 2022-23 sophomore campaign, Marshall has made an indelible mark with her 33-point outing in USC's win at Oregon State. Averaging 14.1 points and 10.8 rebounds per game to date, she's collected 11 double-doubles this season and is one of the nation's top blockers with her 3.0 blocks per game.
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.
MID-YEAR MAGIC
USC's backcourt gets another boost with the addition of 5-9 guard Dominique Onu, who has come to Troy as a mid-year transfer from UCLA. After two seasons with the Bruins, the Florida native joined the Trojans in January 2023 and will compete for USC starting in Fall 2023. Ranked as the No. 26 recruit in the nation in 2021, Onu prepped at Blair Academy in New Jersey before signing on with UCLA, where she enrolled early as a true freshman in 2020-21. Onu played in 16 games as a freshman and in 27 with seven starts as a sophomore last season. She averaged 5.4 points per game in her sophomore season and set her career high with 16 points at Oregon. A native of Jacksonville, Fla., Onu helped Blair Academy win the NJISAA State title as a junior in 2020, averaging 15.8 points per game that year.
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
