Sunday, November 9
Charlotte, N.C.
12:00 p.m.
USC
2-0,0-0Big Ten
69
vs
68
NC State
1-1,0-0ACC
1
2
3
4
F
Southern California
18
15
17
19
69
NC State
20
14
24
10
68
Photo by: Katie Chin/USC Athletics
No. 18 USC Women’s Basketball Digs Deep to Drop No. 9 NC State 69-68
November 09, 2025 | Women's Basketball
Trojans erase a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter to win the Ally Tipoff Event.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – No. 18 USC women's basketball dug in late and closed strong, rallying from an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit to knock off No. 9 NC State 69-68 at the Ally Tipoff event on Sunday, Nov. 9 at the Spectrum Center.
Tonight's win marked the first AP top 10 win for USC since the Trojans defeated No. 2 UCLA on March 1, 2025.
Freshman guard Jazzy Davidson powered USC with a career high 21 points, including a critical burst early in the fourth that helped the Trojans flip the momentum. Davidson finished the day scoring in double-digits, while also recording five blocks, four assists, four rebounds and three steals. Senior guard Londynn Jones added 19 points, hitting four three's and providing key shot-making throughout the game's tightest stretches, while sophomore Kennedy Smith turned in a steady 10 point and eight rebound effort.
Trojans and Wolfpack exchanged punches from opening tip, as 13 lead changes encapsulated the back-and-forth battle between the two powerhouse programs.
At halftime, NC State held a narrow 34–33 lead, a reflection of how evenly the first 20 minutes played out. USC struggled to find consistent rhythm offensively, but stayed within range thanks to timely scoring from Jones, who provided a spark off the dribble and from the perimeter, and Kennedy Smith, who battled on the glass to keep possessions alive. NC State leaned heavily on its interior size and controlled the paint and the boards, helping the Wolfpack create second-chance opportunities and short-clock buckets. Even as the half swung back and forth through multiple lead changes, USC's defensive pressure and backcourt pace hinted at a potential momentum shift still hanging in the balance.
USC closed with poise and pressure to rally down 61–50 with just under 10 minutes to play. The comeback started when Davidson drilled a three to break NC State's momentum, followed by a second-chance finish from Laura Williams to cut the margin back to single digits. As the Wolfpack began to turn the ball over, USC capitalized. Smith powered in two key baskets at the rim and Jones kept USC within striking range with a series of confident jumpers. A fast-break three from Jones at the 1:26 mark pulled the Trojans within two and after a defensive stop, Gerda Raulušaitytė cashed in a transition layup to make it a one-point game. Following another NC State turnover in the backcourt, Davidson attacked downhill and finished at the rim with eight seconds left to give USC the lead. On the final possession, Smith sealed the win by jumping the passing lane as the buzzer sounded.
USC finished with 40 rebounds and 15 second-chance points, controlling the glass down the stretch after NC State had dominated the boards early behind Khamil Pierre's 18-rebound afternoon. The Trojans also forced 18 turnovers on Sunday evening, giving up the ball just seven times.
The win pushes USC to 2-0 on the season and gives the Trojans a confidence boost ahead of next Saturday's "The Real SC" battle at the Crypto Arena against No. 2 South Carolina. The game will air on FOX at 6 p.m. PT. Tickets can be purchased here.
Tonight's win marked the first AP top 10 win for USC since the Trojans defeated No. 2 UCLA on March 1, 2025.
Freshman guard Jazzy Davidson powered USC with a career high 21 points, including a critical burst early in the fourth that helped the Trojans flip the momentum. Davidson finished the day scoring in double-digits, while also recording five blocks, four assists, four rebounds and three steals. Senior guard Londynn Jones added 19 points, hitting four three's and providing key shot-making throughout the game's tightest stretches, while sophomore Kennedy Smith turned in a steady 10 point and eight rebound effort.
Trojans and Wolfpack exchanged punches from opening tip, as 13 lead changes encapsulated the back-and-forth battle between the two powerhouse programs.
At halftime, NC State held a narrow 34–33 lead, a reflection of how evenly the first 20 minutes played out. USC struggled to find consistent rhythm offensively, but stayed within range thanks to timely scoring from Jones, who provided a spark off the dribble and from the perimeter, and Kennedy Smith, who battled on the glass to keep possessions alive. NC State leaned heavily on its interior size and controlled the paint and the boards, helping the Wolfpack create second-chance opportunities and short-clock buckets. Even as the half swung back and forth through multiple lead changes, USC's defensive pressure and backcourt pace hinted at a potential momentum shift still hanging in the balance.
USC closed with poise and pressure to rally down 61–50 with just under 10 minutes to play. The comeback started when Davidson drilled a three to break NC State's momentum, followed by a second-chance finish from Laura Williams to cut the margin back to single digits. As the Wolfpack began to turn the ball over, USC capitalized. Smith powered in two key baskets at the rim and Jones kept USC within striking range with a series of confident jumpers. A fast-break three from Jones at the 1:26 mark pulled the Trojans within two and after a defensive stop, Gerda Raulušaitytė cashed in a transition layup to make it a one-point game. Following another NC State turnover in the backcourt, Davidson attacked downhill and finished at the rim with eight seconds left to give USC the lead. On the final possession, Smith sealed the win by jumping the passing lane as the buzzer sounded.
USC finished with 40 rebounds and 15 second-chance points, controlling the glass down the stretch after NC State had dominated the boards early behind Khamil Pierre's 18-rebound afternoon. The Trojans also forced 18 turnovers on Sunday evening, giving up the ball just seven times.
The win pushes USC to 2-0 on the season and gives the Trojans a confidence boost ahead of next Saturday's "The Real SC" battle at the Crypto Arena against No. 2 South Carolina. The game will air on FOX at 6 p.m. PT. Tickets can be purchased here.
NOTABLES:
- With this win, the Trojans are now 2-1 all-time against NC State
- Today's victory marks head coach Lindsay Gottlieb's 95th win at USC
- Three Trojans scored in double figures; Jazzy Davidson (21), Londynn Jones (19) and Kennedy Smith (10)
- FR Jazzy Davidson recorded five new career-highs with 21 points (2-for-2 FT), eight made field goals, three made three-pointers, five blocks and three steals. The guard's five blocks were a game-high, while her 21 points and four assists were a team-high
- SR Londynn Jones tallied 19 points (4-for-9 3PT, 3-for-4 FT), four rebounds and three assists. Her four made three-pointers were a game-high
- SO Kennedy Smith recorded a new season high in rebounds with eight and field goals made with five. Her eight rebounds were a team-high
- JR Gerda Raulušaitytė recorded a career-high five points (2-for-3 FG, 1-for-2 FT) and her first career steal
- JR Malia Samuels tied Davidson for a game-high three steals and tallied five rebounds
- USC led NC State in bench points 25-9, points off turnovers 15-8 and second chance points 15-8
- USC held NC State to just 10 points in the fourth quarter.
Team Stats
USC
NCSU
FG%
.368
.394
3FG%
.269
.263
FT%
.600
.636
RB
40
54
TO
7
18
STL
11
3
Game Leaders
Pts
21
FGM
8
3FGM
3
FTM
2
Pts
19
FGM
6
3FGM
4
FTM
3
Pts
10
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
F
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