Friday, February 17
Stanford, Calif.
8:00 PM
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Stanford
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Photo by: John McGillen
No. 25 USC Women’s Basketball To Battle No. 3 Stanford And Cal In the Bay
February 14, 2023 | Women's Basketball
Ranked in the AP national poll for the first time since 2016, the Trojans are looking for their first Bay Area road sweep since 2001.
#25 USC (19-6, 9-5) at #3 Stanford (24-3, 12-2)
Maples Pavilion | Stanford, Calif. | Friday, Feb. 17 | 8 p.m.
Series Record (since 1978-79): USC trails 21-67 (W1)
Last Meeting: W 55-46 [1/15/23 • Galen Center]
Last USC loss: 83-57 [2/6/22 • Galen Center]
TV: P12 Networks (Talent: Jenny Cavnar & Mary Murphy)
STREAM | STATS
#25 USC at California (12-13, 3-11)
Haas Pavilion | Berkeley, Calif. | Sunday, Feb. 19 | 1 p.m.
Series Record (since 1978-79): USC leads 43-34 (W1)
Last Meeting: W 63-43 [1/13/23 • Galen Center]
Last USC loss: 62-59 [2/4/22 • Galen Center]
TV: P12 Networks (Talent: Jenny Cavnar & Angela Taylor)
STREAM | STATS
THIS WEEK
Back in the national rankings this week, No. 25 USC hits the road looking to collect a Bay Area sweep for the first time since 2001 when the Trojans visit Stanford and Cal. USC (19-6, 9-5 Pac-12) visits the No. 3 Cardinal (24-3, 12-2) for an 8 p.m. test on Friday (Feb. 17) in Palo Alto before heading to Berkeley to take on the Golden Bears (12-13, 3-11) at 1 p.m. on Sunday (Feb. 19).
FOLLOW ALONG
Friday's USC-Stanford clash will be broadcast on Pac-12 Networks with Jenny Cavnar and Mary Murphy on the call. Sunday's game vs. the Golden Bears will air on Pac-12 Networks with Jenny Cavnar and Angela Taylor on that call. Games will also stream live at pac-12.com/live.
IN THE POLLS
USC is back in the AP rankings for the first time since 2016 with the Trojans' No. 25 slot this week. USC also enters this week rated 28 in the NET rankings. USC was receiving votes in the preseason USA Today poll and continues to receive votes in that poll this week.
USC IN THE NATION
USC entered the week ranked as the No. 10 team in the nation in scoring defense, holding teams to an average of 54.0 points per game. The Trojans also are top-15 in three other categories: blocks per game (6th - 5.6 bpg), 3-point percentage defense (11th — 25.7%) and field goal percentage defense (13th‚ 35.3%).
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
TROJANS IN THE NATION
Individually, USC entered the week with players making their marks on the national stat sheets. With 3.35 blocks per game, Rayah Marshall ranks No. 3 in the nation. She's also No. 3 in total blocks (77) and No. 16 in total double-doubles with 13. Marshall also is making her mark on the boards, ranked No. 7 with her 11.8 rebounds per game and No. 4 with 8.7 defensive rebounds per game. Another Trojan in the nation's top-50 to date is Destiny Littleton, who ranks 23rd with a free-throw percentage of 87.7.
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 to help earn her status as 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 BEAVERS
Clarice Akunwafo's first basket of the day was a big one. Her putback in the paint in the final minute of overtime helped secure a hard-fought victory for the USC women's basketball team, which tallied a 60-56 win over visiting Oregon State to complete the Trojans' first home sweep of the Oregon schools since 2013-14. Rayah Marshall had almost as many rebounds to her name as the Beavers had as a team by halftime, with Marshall pulling in 11 of USC's 25 first-half boards to lead OSU's team tally of 14 by the break. USC was shooting 40.6 percent from the floor to 30.8 percent by the Beavers as the Trojans gripped a 31-24 lead through those first 20 minutes of action. USC's efficiency hit the skids in the second half while OSU picked up its pace, but USC would find the baskets it needed in overtime while the Beavers came up empty from the floor in those final five minutes. USC would wrap the game shooting 33.8 percent overall and making just two 3-pointers. OSU, meanwhile, finished out a 37.3 percent and landed six 3-pointers, although USC won the battle of the boards 43-37 and forced 14 turnovers by the Beavers. Destiny Littleton led USC in scoring with 18 points, with Rayah Marshall (11 points) and Okako Adika (10) also finishing in double digits for the Trojans. Marshall also hauled in 14 rebounds to notch her 13th double-double of the season. OSU received a double-double from Raegan Beers with 18 points and 16 rebounds, with Bendu Yeaney adding 12 points for the Beavers.
NOTABLE:
- All eight Trojans who played in the game scored points for USC.
- USC is now 2-1 in overtime games this season (two wins in OT, one loss in double-OT)
- The victory secured USC's first home sweep of the Oregon schools since the 2013-14 season.
- USC improved to 18-0 when allowing 58 points or less.
- USC outrebounded its opponent (43-37) for the fourth straight game and 15th time this season.
- With three blocks, SO Rayah Marshall has recorded at least one block in 46 consecutive games played.
- With 11 points and 14 rebounds, Marshall recorded her 13th double-double this season (19th career).
- Marshall's 14 rebounds marked her eighth straight game with double-digit rebounds.
- During Marshall's eight-game streak of double-digit rebounds, she has grabbed 116 total rebounds, for an average of 14.5 per contest.
- Marshall has recorded a double-double in her three appearances against Oregon State, averaging 20.3 points, 14.0 rebounds and 4.0 blocks per game in those three games.
- Over the last four games, Marshall has recorded 20 blocks, for an average of 5.0 per contest.
- With 18 points, GS Destiny Littleton scored in double digits for a team-leading 20th time this season.
- With 10 points, GS Okako Adika scored in double digits for the eighth time this season.
- USC's season-low two made 3-pointers were the fewest made in a victory since making one in a 57-40 victory against Long Beach State, on Dec. 21, 2019.
- USC now holds its best record through a 25-game start since 1993-94 (22-3) and its best conference record through 14 games since 2013-14 (9-5).
DUNKING THE DUCKS
USC earned a long-awaited win over Oregon, snapping a 12-game losing skid to the Ducks with a dominant defensive effort that helped the Trojans capture a 56-51 victory at Galen Center. A double-double from Okako Adika with four 3-pointers made helped turn the tide for the Trojans, who trailed by as much a 14 points in the first half before mounting their largest comeback win of the season. It was slow going for the Trojans out of the gates while Oregon built out a double-digit lead, but USC held the Ducks to just nine points in the second quarter to get back in reach. USC would trail 29-21 at halftime after shooting just 25 percent from the floor in the first half. Oregon was hitting at a 39.3-percent clip and had a 20-17 edge on the boards by the break. The Trojan turnaround came in the third, as USC made a 9-0 rally to take its first lead of the game with 1:50 on the clock. Oregon wouldn't lead again the rest of the way. USC would wrap the game on 30.2 percent shooting from the floor with seven 3-pointers made — four from Okako Adika. Oregon wound up at 34.5 percent overall and was 4-of-15 from 3-point range. USC worked out ahead on the boards 44-38 to help keep the Ducks at bay down the stretch. USC had Okako Adika and Destiny Littleton each finish with a game-high 18 points, with Adika hauling in 11 rebounds for her second double-double as a Trojan. Rayah Marshall matched that with 11 rebounds to go along with seven booming blocks for the Trojan cause. Oregon received 14 points from India Rogers and 10 from Grace VanSlooten, with Phillipina Kyei bringing in 15 rebounds for the Ducks. Shots were failing to fall for the Trojans through much of the first quarter, while the Ducks built out a double-digit lead.
NOTABLE:
- USC snapped a 12-game losing streak against the Ducks, dating back to Jan. 4, 2016 in Los Angeles.
- It was the first game this season that USC has trailed by double digits and came back to win.
- Oregon's nine points scored in the second quarter marked the 19th time this season that USC has allowed fewer than 10 points in a quarter.
- With seven blocks, SO Rayah Marshall has recorded at least one block in 45 consecutive games played.
- Marshall recorded her sixth game with five blocks or more this season, and her second consecutive game with seven blocks.
- Marshall's 11 rebounds mark her seventh straight game and 16th this season with double-digit rebounds.
- With 18 points, GS Destiny Littleton scored in double digits for a team-leading 19th time this season
- Making two 3-pointers, Littleton has now made two 3-pointers or more in six consecutive games.
- GS Okako Adika scored a season-high 18 points and had 11 rebounds to record her second double-double of the season.
- Making four 3-pointers, Adika also tied her season high in made 3-pointers.
- GS Rokia Doumbia set a new career high with four steals.
- USC held Oregon to a season-low 51 points and a season-low 19 field goals made.
- The 23 offensive rebounds USC grabbed are the most Oregon has allowed this season, surpassing the previous high of 19 also set by USC on January 1, 2023.
- USC's 21 first-half points are the fewest it has scored in a half 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 collected 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.
- 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 marked the ninth time USC held an opponent under 50 points this season and was the fewest Stanford has scored in a game since 2016.
- 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 its first home sweep of the Bay Area schools (California and Stanford) since the 2003-04 season.
- The 55-46 win was USC'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 15.0 and 13.9 points per game, respectively. Littleton has provided double digits in a team-high 20 games this season, and Sissoko has done so in 16 games in spite of being sidelined for five games with injuries. Sissoko also has recorded four games with 20+ points and has laid claim to three double-doubles as a Trojan to date.
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 13.5 points and 11.8 rebounds per game to date, she's collected 13 double-doubles this season and is one of the nation's top blockers with her 3.35 blocks per game. She also is the only Pac-12 player to be averaging a double-double this 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.
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. •
Maples Pavilion | Stanford, Calif. | Friday, Feb. 17 | 8 p.m.
Series Record (since 1978-79): USC trails 21-67 (W1)
Last Meeting: W 55-46 [1/15/23 • Galen Center]
Last USC loss: 83-57 [2/6/22 • Galen Center]
TV: P12 Networks (Talent: Jenny Cavnar & Mary Murphy)
STREAM | STATS
#25 USC at California (12-13, 3-11)
Haas Pavilion | Berkeley, Calif. | Sunday, Feb. 19 | 1 p.m.
Series Record (since 1978-79): USC leads 43-34 (W1)
Last Meeting: W 63-43 [1/13/23 • Galen Center]
Last USC loss: 62-59 [2/4/22 • Galen Center]
TV: P12 Networks (Talent: Jenny Cavnar & Angela Taylor)
STREAM | STATS
THIS WEEK
Back in the national rankings this week, No. 25 USC hits the road looking to collect a Bay Area sweep for the first time since 2001 when the Trojans visit Stanford and Cal. USC (19-6, 9-5 Pac-12) visits the No. 3 Cardinal (24-3, 12-2) for an 8 p.m. test on Friday (Feb. 17) in Palo Alto before heading to Berkeley to take on the Golden Bears (12-13, 3-11) at 1 p.m. on Sunday (Feb. 19).
FOLLOW ALONG
Friday's USC-Stanford clash will be broadcast on Pac-12 Networks with Jenny Cavnar and Mary Murphy on the call. Sunday's game vs. the Golden Bears will air on Pac-12 Networks with Jenny Cavnar and Angela Taylor on that call. Games will also stream live at pac-12.com/live.
IN THE POLLS
USC is back in the AP rankings for the first time since 2016 with the Trojans' No. 25 slot this week. USC also enters this week rated 28 in the NET rankings. USC was receiving votes in the preseason USA Today poll and continues to receive votes in that poll this week.
USC IN THE NATION
USC entered the week ranked as the No. 10 team in the nation in scoring defense, holding teams to an average of 54.0 points per game. The Trojans also are top-15 in three other categories: blocks per game (6th - 5.6 bpg), 3-point percentage defense (11th — 25.7%) and field goal percentage defense (13th‚ 35.3%).
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
TROJANS IN THE NATION
Individually, USC entered the week with players making their marks on the national stat sheets. With 3.35 blocks per game, Rayah Marshall ranks No. 3 in the nation. She's also No. 3 in total blocks (77) and No. 16 in total double-doubles with 13. Marshall also is making her mark on the boards, ranked No. 7 with her 11.8 rebounds per game and No. 4 with 8.7 defensive rebounds per game. Another Trojan in the nation's top-50 to date is Destiny Littleton, who ranks 23rd with a free-throw percentage of 87.7.
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 to help earn her status as 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 BEAVERS
Clarice Akunwafo's first basket of the day was a big one. Her putback in the paint in the final minute of overtime helped secure a hard-fought victory for the USC women's basketball team, which tallied a 60-56 win over visiting Oregon State to complete the Trojans' first home sweep of the Oregon schools since 2013-14. Rayah Marshall had almost as many rebounds to her name as the Beavers had as a team by halftime, with Marshall pulling in 11 of USC's 25 first-half boards to lead OSU's team tally of 14 by the break. USC was shooting 40.6 percent from the floor to 30.8 percent by the Beavers as the Trojans gripped a 31-24 lead through those first 20 minutes of action. USC's efficiency hit the skids in the second half while OSU picked up its pace, but USC would find the baskets it needed in overtime while the Beavers came up empty from the floor in those final five minutes. USC would wrap the game shooting 33.8 percent overall and making just two 3-pointers. OSU, meanwhile, finished out a 37.3 percent and landed six 3-pointers, although USC won the battle of the boards 43-37 and forced 14 turnovers by the Beavers. Destiny Littleton led USC in scoring with 18 points, with Rayah Marshall (11 points) and Okako Adika (10) also finishing in double digits for the Trojans. Marshall also hauled in 14 rebounds to notch her 13th double-double of the season. OSU received a double-double from Raegan Beers with 18 points and 16 rebounds, with Bendu Yeaney adding 12 points for the Beavers.
NOTABLE:
- All eight Trojans who played in the game scored points for USC.
- USC is now 2-1 in overtime games this season (two wins in OT, one loss in double-OT)
- The victory secured USC's first home sweep of the Oregon schools since the 2013-14 season.
- USC improved to 18-0 when allowing 58 points or less.
- USC outrebounded its opponent (43-37) for the fourth straight game and 15th time this season.
- With three blocks, SO Rayah Marshall has recorded at least one block in 46 consecutive games played.
- With 11 points and 14 rebounds, Marshall recorded her 13th double-double this season (19th career).
- Marshall's 14 rebounds marked her eighth straight game with double-digit rebounds.
- During Marshall's eight-game streak of double-digit rebounds, she has grabbed 116 total rebounds, for an average of 14.5 per contest.
- Marshall has recorded a double-double in her three appearances against Oregon State, averaging 20.3 points, 14.0 rebounds and 4.0 blocks per game in those three games.
- Over the last four games, Marshall has recorded 20 blocks, for an average of 5.0 per contest.
- With 18 points, GS Destiny Littleton scored in double digits for a team-leading 20th time this season.
- With 10 points, GS Okako Adika scored in double digits for the eighth time this season.
- USC's season-low two made 3-pointers were the fewest made in a victory since making one in a 57-40 victory against Long Beach State, on Dec. 21, 2019.
- USC now holds its best record through a 25-game start since 1993-94 (22-3) and its best conference record through 14 games since 2013-14 (9-5).
DUNKING THE DUCKS
USC earned a long-awaited win over Oregon, snapping a 12-game losing skid to the Ducks with a dominant defensive effort that helped the Trojans capture a 56-51 victory at Galen Center. A double-double from Okako Adika with four 3-pointers made helped turn the tide for the Trojans, who trailed by as much a 14 points in the first half before mounting their largest comeback win of the season. It was slow going for the Trojans out of the gates while Oregon built out a double-digit lead, but USC held the Ducks to just nine points in the second quarter to get back in reach. USC would trail 29-21 at halftime after shooting just 25 percent from the floor in the first half. Oregon was hitting at a 39.3-percent clip and had a 20-17 edge on the boards by the break. The Trojan turnaround came in the third, as USC made a 9-0 rally to take its first lead of the game with 1:50 on the clock. Oregon wouldn't lead again the rest of the way. USC would wrap the game on 30.2 percent shooting from the floor with seven 3-pointers made — four from Okako Adika. Oregon wound up at 34.5 percent overall and was 4-of-15 from 3-point range. USC worked out ahead on the boards 44-38 to help keep the Ducks at bay down the stretch. USC had Okako Adika and Destiny Littleton each finish with a game-high 18 points, with Adika hauling in 11 rebounds for her second double-double as a Trojan. Rayah Marshall matched that with 11 rebounds to go along with seven booming blocks for the Trojan cause. Oregon received 14 points from India Rogers and 10 from Grace VanSlooten, with Phillipina Kyei bringing in 15 rebounds for the Ducks. Shots were failing to fall for the Trojans through much of the first quarter, while the Ducks built out a double-digit lead.
NOTABLE:
- USC snapped a 12-game losing streak against the Ducks, dating back to Jan. 4, 2016 in Los Angeles.
- It was the first game this season that USC has trailed by double digits and came back to win.
- Oregon's nine points scored in the second quarter marked the 19th time this season that USC has allowed fewer than 10 points in a quarter.
- With seven blocks, SO Rayah Marshall has recorded at least one block in 45 consecutive games played.
- Marshall recorded her sixth game with five blocks or more this season, and her second consecutive game with seven blocks.
- Marshall's 11 rebounds mark her seventh straight game and 16th this season with double-digit rebounds.
- With 18 points, GS Destiny Littleton scored in double digits for a team-leading 19th time this season
- Making two 3-pointers, Littleton has now made two 3-pointers or more in six consecutive games.
- GS Okako Adika scored a season-high 18 points and had 11 rebounds to record her second double-double of the season.
- Making four 3-pointers, Adika also tied her season high in made 3-pointers.
- GS Rokia Doumbia set a new career high with four steals.
- USC held Oregon to a season-low 51 points and a season-low 19 field goals made.
- The 23 offensive rebounds USC grabbed are the most Oregon has allowed this season, surpassing the previous high of 19 also set by USC on January 1, 2023.
- USC's 21 first-half points are the fewest it has scored in a half 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 collected 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.
- 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 marked the ninth time USC held an opponent under 50 points this season and was the fewest Stanford has scored in a game since 2016.
- 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 its first home sweep of the Bay Area schools (California and Stanford) since the 2003-04 season.
- The 55-46 win was USC'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 15.0 and 13.9 points per game, respectively. Littleton has provided double digits in a team-high 20 games this season, and Sissoko has done so in 16 games in spite of being sidelined for five games with injuries. Sissoko also has recorded four games with 20+ points and has laid claim to three double-doubles as a Trojan to date.
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 13.5 points and 11.8 rebounds per game to date, she's collected 13 double-doubles this season and is one of the nation's top blockers with her 3.35 blocks per game. She also is the only Pac-12 player to be averaging a double-double this 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.
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
