Friday, March 17
Blacksburg, Va.
5:00 PM
USC
21-10,11-7Pac-12
57
vs
62
South Dakota State
29-5,18-0Summit League
1
2
3
4
OT 1
F
South Dakota St.
9
14
11
11
17
62
Southern California
12
8
11
14
12
57
Team Stats
SDSU
USC
FG%
.352
.313
3FG%
.200
.250
FT%
.815
.643
RB
45
39
TO
20
20
STL
11
8
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
18
FGM
6
3FGM
3
FTM
3
Pts
17
FGM
7
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
5
FGM
1
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
G/F
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG/F
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballPhoto by: Katie Chin
No. 8 Seed USC Women’s Basketball Edged Out In Overtime For 62-57 Loss In NCAA First Round
March 17, 2023 | Women's Basketball
Rayah Marshall breaks USC’s single-season blocks record, but Trojans fall to No. 9 seed South Dakota State in Blacksburg, Va.
BLACKSBURG, VA. — In its first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2014, the No. 8 seeded USC women's basketball team was up against a tough No. 9 seeded South Dakota State squad tonight at Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg, Va. The Trojan defense was effective, but interruptions on offense made for a back-and-forth battle. The Trojans would force overtime on a late 3-pointer from Destiny Littleton, but the Jackrabbits moved ahead in OT and snagged a 62-57 win over the Trojans. USC wraps the 2022-23 season with a 21-10 overall record, while South Dakota State extended its win streak to 22 straight and goes to 29-5 overall.
USC gripped a 10-point lead in the first quarter, but South Dakota State countered with a second-quarter surge. The score tied up four times in the second frame before the Jackrabbits landed a late 3-pointer to take a 23-20 lead at halftime. USC was shooting just 26 percent from the floor to trail South Dakota State's 36-percent effort, and the teams were even on the boards at 18 apiece at the break. USC was able to reel in the Jackrabbits and held a three-point lead in the fourth before a 6-0 run got the Jacks back on top, forcing USC to find the Littleton equalizer and bring up OT. SDSU managed 17 points in overtime — 13 of which came from the free-throw line — to help net the win. By the final buzzer, South Dakota State had gone 22-of-27 from the free-throw line in the game to USC's 9-of-14 outing. Overall, USC shot 31.3 percent from the floor to trail the Jackrabbits' 35.2 percent effort. SDSU also wrapped things up ahead on the boards 45-39, and the teams were matched with 20 turnovers apiece.
USC's scoring effort was led by Destiny Littleton's 18 points — 10 of which came in overtime. Rayah Marshall added a double-double for the Trojans with 17 points and 13 rebounds to go along with a whopping seven blocks. That effort marked a new program record for single-season blocks from the sophomore, who posted 98 blocks in 2022-23 to surpass the previous record of 95 set by Lisa Leslie. USC also received 10 points from Kadi Sissoko. South Dakota State, meanwhile, got a game-high 29 points from Myah Selland along with 16 from Paige Meyer.
Three early blocks from Rayah Marshall keyed a tough USC defense out of the gates as the Trojans worked ahead 9-2 in the first five minutes. Kayla Williams planted a 3-pointer along the way, as four different Trojans struck in that early surge. As the foul count tipped against the Trojans — five straight fouls called against USC to none on the Jackrabbits in the next five minutes — South Dakota State would strike from the free-throw line, and it was a 12-9 margin with USC leading at the end of the first. SDSU made it a 12-0 run with two more scores to start the second quarter before USC snapped the run with a pair of free throws from Marshall to tie it up 14-14 at 7:59. A few minutes later, after a steal from Williams was converted by Marshall on the other end, the score was snarled up again at 16-16 midway through the frame. USC made a move tolled it 20-18 after Littleton knocked down a shot in the lane and Kadi Sissoko struck from the stripe at 1:13, but the Jackrabbits leveled it again at 20-20 and then got a last-second 3-point look to land to lead it 23-20 at the break.
The Jacks worked out ahead 29-22 with another push to open the second half while USC's shooting output dipped to 22 percent. The Trojans would pick up the pace, however, carving into the deficit with back-to-back buckets from Sissoko and Okako Adika. Marshall would land her second 3-pointer of the season to get USC within two, down 31-29 with 1:40 on the clock, and she'd move into double figures later to make it a three-point margin, down 34-31 entering the fourth. USC made a power move out of the gates in the fourth. Marshall's fourth block of the night not only tied her for the all-time record in single-season blocks at USC, it helped lead to a steal and finish from Rokia Doumbia. Marshall herself provided the next four points for the Trojans to take them into the lead for the first time since the first half, up 37-34 at 7:55. Taylor Bigby landed a USC three a minute later to net a 40-36 USC lead before the Jackrabbits countered with a 6-0 rally to go up 42-40 with 4:20 to go. Littleton found Sissoko for the equalizer at 3:45, but no buckets would fall for USC as SDSU moved ahead 45-42 with 1:25 remaining in regulation. With 6.7 ticks on the clock, Littleton drained a huge 3-pointer, snarling things up at 45-45 and prompting a timeout by the Jacks. Marshall delivered her seventh block of the night to solidly set a new single-season record and send the game into overtime.
With help from free throws, SDSU moved out ahead 52-45 in the first two minutes of OT and would lead it 56-47 with 55 seconds on the clock. The Trojans were undeterred, though, as Taylor Bigby knocked down two free throws and then Littleton landed another three to get USC within five, down 57-52. WIth 24 seconds left, Littleton went to the line for three free throws after being found beyond the arc. She nailed all three to trim it to 58-55, and the USC defense forced a turnover. The Trojans' look to tie was just off the mark, however, and USC was forced to foul with the count already giving the Jackrabbits visits to the line. They'd make four free throws around a score from Littleton with two ticks to go, and that would wrap a 62-57 South Dakota State overtime victory to wrap USC's 2022-23 season at 21-10 overall.
NOTABLE:
- This was USC's first-ever overtime game during an NCAA Tournament.
- With seven blocks tonight, SO Rayah Marshall has recorded at least one block in 51 consecutive games played, her 13th consecutive game with two blocks or more.
- With 98 blocks this season, Marshall passed Lisa Leslie to become the single-season all-time leader in blocks in program history.
- With 169 career blocks to date, Marshall passed Michelle Campbell (1993-97) and Briana Gilbreath (2009-12) to rank No. 4 all-time in program history.
- Marshall has now recorded eight games this season with five blocks or more.
- Along with her seven blocks, Marshall scored 17 points and grabbed 13 rebounds — her 14th double-double this season and 20th of her USC career.
- Marshall's 14 double-doubles this season are the most single-season double-doubles by a Trojan since at least 1999.
- Marshall finishes the season having averaged 3.5 blocks per game – putting her in a tie with Cheryl Miller's 1983-84 season for first all-time in program history.
- Marshall's 322 rebounds this season ranks No. 8 all-time in USC history.
- Marshall also recorded three steals tonight, her ninth game this season with three steals or more.
- With 18 points, GS Destiny Littleton scored in double digits for a team-leading 26th time this season and 13th consecutive game.
- Making 88% (125-142) of her free throws this season, Littleton now holds the record for the highest single-season free-throw percentage in program history — surpassing Shay Murphy, who made 85.8% (115-134) in 2006-07.
- Making three 3-pointers tonight, Littleton has made two or more 3-pointers in 17 games this season.
- With 10 points, GS Kadi Sissoko scored in double digits for the 21st time this season and the fifth consecutive game.
- South Dakota State's nine points in the first quarter marked the 24th time this season that USC has allowed fewer than 10 points in a quarter; USC has held its opponents to fewer than 10 points in 19.3% of quarters played this season.
- The Jackrabbits' nine points in the first quarter was just the fifth time this season they have scored less than 10 points in a quarter.
- USC forced the Jackrabbits into 20 turnovers, the 30th time this season the Trojans have forced an opponent into double-digit turnovers.
- USC's 23 personal fouls mark the sixth time this season it committed 20 fouls or more.
- South Dakota State's 27 free throws attempted are the most of any Trojan opponent this season.
- Allowing just 55.1 points per game by opponents this season, USC allowed the fewest points per game in program history.
- USC final 21-10 record was the program's first 20-win season since 2017-18 (20-11), and most wins in a single-season since 2013-14 (22-13)
- This was USC's first appearance in the NCAA tournament since 2014, and first at-large bid since 2006.
- USC's nine-win increase from last season (12-16) is the largest among all Pac-12 teams to date.
USC gripped a 10-point lead in the first quarter, but South Dakota State countered with a second-quarter surge. The score tied up four times in the second frame before the Jackrabbits landed a late 3-pointer to take a 23-20 lead at halftime. USC was shooting just 26 percent from the floor to trail South Dakota State's 36-percent effort, and the teams were even on the boards at 18 apiece at the break. USC was able to reel in the Jackrabbits and held a three-point lead in the fourth before a 6-0 run got the Jacks back on top, forcing USC to find the Littleton equalizer and bring up OT. SDSU managed 17 points in overtime — 13 of which came from the free-throw line — to help net the win. By the final buzzer, South Dakota State had gone 22-of-27 from the free-throw line in the game to USC's 9-of-14 outing. Overall, USC shot 31.3 percent from the floor to trail the Jackrabbits' 35.2 percent effort. SDSU also wrapped things up ahead on the boards 45-39, and the teams were matched with 20 turnovers apiece.
USC's scoring effort was led by Destiny Littleton's 18 points — 10 of which came in overtime. Rayah Marshall added a double-double for the Trojans with 17 points and 13 rebounds to go along with a whopping seven blocks. That effort marked a new program record for single-season blocks from the sophomore, who posted 98 blocks in 2022-23 to surpass the previous record of 95 set by Lisa Leslie. USC also received 10 points from Kadi Sissoko. South Dakota State, meanwhile, got a game-high 29 points from Myah Selland along with 16 from Paige Meyer.
Three early blocks from Rayah Marshall keyed a tough USC defense out of the gates as the Trojans worked ahead 9-2 in the first five minutes. Kayla Williams planted a 3-pointer along the way, as four different Trojans struck in that early surge. As the foul count tipped against the Trojans — five straight fouls called against USC to none on the Jackrabbits in the next five minutes — South Dakota State would strike from the free-throw line, and it was a 12-9 margin with USC leading at the end of the first. SDSU made it a 12-0 run with two more scores to start the second quarter before USC snapped the run with a pair of free throws from Marshall to tie it up 14-14 at 7:59. A few minutes later, after a steal from Williams was converted by Marshall on the other end, the score was snarled up again at 16-16 midway through the frame. USC made a move tolled it 20-18 after Littleton knocked down a shot in the lane and Kadi Sissoko struck from the stripe at 1:13, but the Jackrabbits leveled it again at 20-20 and then got a last-second 3-point look to land to lead it 23-20 at the break.
The Jacks worked out ahead 29-22 with another push to open the second half while USC's shooting output dipped to 22 percent. The Trojans would pick up the pace, however, carving into the deficit with back-to-back buckets from Sissoko and Okako Adika. Marshall would land her second 3-pointer of the season to get USC within two, down 31-29 with 1:40 on the clock, and she'd move into double figures later to make it a three-point margin, down 34-31 entering the fourth. USC made a power move out of the gates in the fourth. Marshall's fourth block of the night not only tied her for the all-time record in single-season blocks at USC, it helped lead to a steal and finish from Rokia Doumbia. Marshall herself provided the next four points for the Trojans to take them into the lead for the first time since the first half, up 37-34 at 7:55. Taylor Bigby landed a USC three a minute later to net a 40-36 USC lead before the Jackrabbits countered with a 6-0 rally to go up 42-40 with 4:20 to go. Littleton found Sissoko for the equalizer at 3:45, but no buckets would fall for USC as SDSU moved ahead 45-42 with 1:25 remaining in regulation. With 6.7 ticks on the clock, Littleton drained a huge 3-pointer, snarling things up at 45-45 and prompting a timeout by the Jacks. Marshall delivered her seventh block of the night to solidly set a new single-season record and send the game into overtime.
With help from free throws, SDSU moved out ahead 52-45 in the first two minutes of OT and would lead it 56-47 with 55 seconds on the clock. The Trojans were undeterred, though, as Taylor Bigby knocked down two free throws and then Littleton landed another three to get USC within five, down 57-52. WIth 24 seconds left, Littleton went to the line for three free throws after being found beyond the arc. She nailed all three to trim it to 58-55, and the USC defense forced a turnover. The Trojans' look to tie was just off the mark, however, and USC was forced to foul with the count already giving the Jackrabbits visits to the line. They'd make four free throws around a score from Littleton with two ticks to go, and that would wrap a 62-57 South Dakota State overtime victory to wrap USC's 2022-23 season at 21-10 overall.
NOTABLE:
- This was USC's first-ever overtime game during an NCAA Tournament.
- With seven blocks tonight, SO Rayah Marshall has recorded at least one block in 51 consecutive games played, her 13th consecutive game with two blocks or more.
- With 98 blocks this season, Marshall passed Lisa Leslie to become the single-season all-time leader in blocks in program history.
- With 169 career blocks to date, Marshall passed Michelle Campbell (1993-97) and Briana Gilbreath (2009-12) to rank No. 4 all-time in program history.
- Marshall has now recorded eight games this season with five blocks or more.
- Along with her seven blocks, Marshall scored 17 points and grabbed 13 rebounds — her 14th double-double this season and 20th of her USC career.
- Marshall's 14 double-doubles this season are the most single-season double-doubles by a Trojan since at least 1999.
- Marshall finishes the season having averaged 3.5 blocks per game – putting her in a tie with Cheryl Miller's 1983-84 season for first all-time in program history.
- Marshall's 322 rebounds this season ranks No. 8 all-time in USC history.
- Marshall also recorded three steals tonight, her ninth game this season with three steals or more.
- With 18 points, GS Destiny Littleton scored in double digits for a team-leading 26th time this season and 13th consecutive game.
- Making 88% (125-142) of her free throws this season, Littleton now holds the record for the highest single-season free-throw percentage in program history — surpassing Shay Murphy, who made 85.8% (115-134) in 2006-07.
- Making three 3-pointers tonight, Littleton has made two or more 3-pointers in 17 games this season.
- With 10 points, GS Kadi Sissoko scored in double digits for the 21st time this season and the fifth consecutive game.
- South Dakota State's nine points in the first quarter marked the 24th time this season that USC has allowed fewer than 10 points in a quarter; USC has held its opponents to fewer than 10 points in 19.3% of quarters played this season.
- The Jackrabbits' nine points in the first quarter was just the fifth time this season they have scored less than 10 points in a quarter.
- USC forced the Jackrabbits into 20 turnovers, the 30th time this season the Trojans have forced an opponent into double-digit turnovers.
- USC's 23 personal fouls mark the sixth time this season it committed 20 fouls or more.
- South Dakota State's 27 free throws attempted are the most of any Trojan opponent this season.
- Allowing just 55.1 points per game by opponents this season, USC allowed the fewest points per game in program history.
- USC final 21-10 record was the program's first 20-win season since 2017-18 (20-11), and most wins in a single-season since 2013-14 (22-13)
- This was USC's first appearance in the NCAA tournament since 2014, and first at-large bid since 2006.
- USC's nine-win increase from last season (12-16) is the largest among all Pac-12 teams to date.
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
