No. 21 USC Women's Basketball Travels to Minneapolis to Take on Minnesota Golden Gophers

Sunday, January 11

Minneapolis, Minn.

12:00 p.m.

USC

Minnesota

Malia Samuels dribbles the ball down the court.

Photo by: Katie Chin/USC Athletics

No. 21 USC Women's Basketball Travels to Minneapolis to Take on Minnesota Golden Gophers

January 09, 2026 | Women's Basketball

Game Notes

Trojans to take on Minnesota at Williams Arena for the first time in program history.

LOS ANGELES - No. 21 USC women's basketball hits the road for a conference contest against Minnesota on Sunday, Jan. 11. The Trojans, who have lost two straight, look to get back in the win column against the Golden Gophers with the game set to tipoff at 2 p.m. CT/12 p.m. PT.

Sunday will mark USC's first-ever game at Williams Arena in Minneapolis, Minn., and the fourth all-time meeting between the two programs.

SERIES RECORD: 2-1
LAST MEETING: W, 82-69 (January 30, 2025) • Los Angeles, Calif. // Galen Center
HEAD COACH: Dawn Plitzuweit (third season)
CONFERENCE: Big Ten Conference
STREAK: W, 1-0
TV/STREAM: B1G+
LISTEN: ESPN LA 710 AM / USC Gameday App / ESPNLA App

A WIN WOULD

Be the 887th win in program history (886-571)
Be head coach Lindsay Gottlieb's 104rd win at USC (103-41)
Be head coach Lindsay Gottlieb's 338th win as a head coach (337-169)
Help USC improve to 3-2 in Big Ten Play
Extend USC's win streak over Minnesota to 2-0
Snap Minnesota's three-game home win streak

SCOUTING MINNESOTA

Minnesota is fresh off a 79-47 victory over Northwestern on Thursday, Jan. 8
The Golden Gophers are 11-4 and 2-2 in conference play
Minnesota is averaging 77.1 ppg, shooting 44.5% from the field
Grace Grocholski leads the Golden Gophers in scoring this season, averaging 13.1 ppg
Amaya Battle has been dominant on the boards for Minnesota, averaging 7.5 rebounds per game

NUGGETS OF KNOWLEDGE

As a squad, USC is fifth nationally and leads the Big Ten in blocks per game (6.5 / 98 total)
FR Jazzy Davidson currently leads the Trojans in four major statistical categories (16.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.8 spg and 2.7 bpg). Davidson and Kennedy Smith both average 1.8 spg.
The freshman also leads USC in minutes played, averaging 33:04
Davidson has recorded 14 double-figuring scoring games this season, including 12 straight games since Nov. 18
Davidson ranks 8th nationally and leads the Big Ten in blocks (40). Standing at 6'1", she is also the shortest in the top-10 with such numbers. The freshman is 8th nationally and leads the Big Ten in blocks per game (2.67).
Davidson is 2nd in the Big Ten and 13th nationally in field goal attempts (250). She is also tied for 3rd amongst all D1 freshman in field goal attempts (250).
Sophomore Kennedy Smith leads USC in assists per game (3.7) and is tied with Davidson in steals per game (1.8).
Senior Londynn Jones has appeared in 123 consecutive collegiate games (108 at UCLA, 15 at USC)
The Trojans are holding opponents to just 57.9 ppg on 40.0 percent shooting (avg.), despite playing seven top-25 teams through 15 games.
Sunday's game is USC's first-ever game at Williams Arena in Minneapolis, Minn.
USC's is coming off back-to-back losses for the first time since Jan. of 2024 (Loss on Jan. 19, 2024 at Utah followed by Jan. 21, 2024 at Colorado)

LAST TIME OUT

USC narrowly fell to Oregon 71-66 on Tuesday, Jan. 6
Tuesday's game marked FR Jazzy Davidson's 15th straight game with 1+ blocks and her 12th straight game scoring in double figures
With 14 points and a team-high 13 rebounds, Davidson tallied her third career double-double. The guard also contributed a team-high five assists and two blocks
R-FR Laura Williams recorded a career-high nine rebounds and a team-high +6 rating
SR Kara Dunn recorded a new season high with nine rebounds and five made free throws. She also scored a game-high 21 points, matching her season high
SR Londynn Jones recorded a season-high five rebounds. She also posted 13 points and three assists
USC's 85.7% (12-for-14) free-throw average was a season best

A TRIP ACROSS TOWN

USC fell 86-44 to No. 4 UCLA on Saturday, Jan. 3
USC forced 17 turnovers against UCLA, the second-most turnovers for the Bruins in single game this season
The Bruins four made three-pointers matched their fewest this season
FR Jazzy Davidson contributed 10 points and a team-high three blocks
USC knocked down four of its first five attempts from deep during the first 10 minutes of play to post its best three-point shooting quarter of the season (80 percent)

NEWSWORTHY TRIP TO NEBRASKA

USC defeated No. 20 Nebraska 74-66 on Monday, Dec. 29 in Lincoln, Nebraska
FR Jazzy Davidson scored 17 points to record her 12th double-figure performance of the season (10th straight game in double figures). The freshman also tied her career high 5 blocks and contributed eight rebounds, three assists and a steal
SR Londynn Jones got her second start of the season on Monday afternoon, posting 13 points and 3 steals. Jones was 3-for-5 from three
SO Kennedy Smith put up a season best 17 points and a season high 9 rebounds
SR Kara Dunn put up 14 points and contributed five rebounds and two steals
USC held Nebraska to under 80 points for the first time this season
USC outscored Nebraska by 15 points over the final two quarters, turning a two-point halftime deficit into an eight-point win
The Trojans were +13 on the boards, out-rebounding the Cornhuskers 38-25 (16 offensive rebounds)
USC held Nebraska scoreless from the field over the final 2:42
USC had four players score in double figures for the third time this season - Davidson (17), Smith (17), Dunn (14) and Jones (13)
USC won the battle in paint points (44-28), points off turnovers (27-18) and second chance points (19-13)

B1G OPENER

USC opened conference play with a 59-50 win over No. 21 Washington on Dec. 7, 2025
FR Jazzy Davidson notched her second career double-double with a career and game-high 22 points and team-high 12 rebounds. The freshman guard also contributed four assists, two blocks and a team-high two made three-pointers.
JR Gerda Raulušaityte scored a career-high eight points. The forward also had eight rebounds, shot 100% from the field and had a game-high +15 rating
SO Kennedy Smith tallied 13 points, five rebounds, four assists, two blocks and team-high two steals

NONCONFERENCE RECAP

USC wrapped up nonconference play 8-3, including one win over a ranked opponent (No. 9 NC State). The Trojans three losses were to No. 1 UConn, No. 2 South Carolina and No. 24 Notre Dame (2 point margin of defeat).
The Trojans averaged 71.7 ppg in nonconference play.
USC defeated Cal 61-57 to close out nonconference play 8-3. Against the Golden Bears, USC recorded a season-high 50 rebounds and FR Jazzy Davidson posted a career best 24 points
The Women of Troy finished nonconference play 6-1 at home, 2-1 at neutral sites and 0-1 on the road.
FR Jazzy Davidson led the Trojans in every statistical category in nonconference play - 16.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 3.7 apg, 2.2 spg, 2.5 bpg and 32:2 mpg.
SR Londynn Jones scored a career and game-high 28 points and 11 made field goals against Cal Poly.
FR Jazzy Davidson scored a career-high 24 points with her ninth consecutive double-figuring scoring performance and her 12th of the season, adding four rebounds, four blocks and matching her career best with three three-pointers.
SO Kennedy Smith led USC in points (16) and rebounds (7) against No. 1 UConn. Smith also led USC in scoring against No. 2 South Carolina (12)

DAVIDSON'S DOMINANCE

ESPN named Davidson No. 1 in the Dec. 18 women's college basketball freshman impact rankings (Davidson was also No. 1 preseason)
FR Jazzy Davidson currently leads the Trojans in four major statistical categories (16.1 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1.8 spg and 2.7 bpg).
The freshman also leads USC in minutes played, averaging 32.38
Davidson has recorded 14 double-figuring scoring games this season, including 12 straight games since Nov. 18
Davidson is the only player in the country this season with multiple five-block games against ranked opponents
The newcomer put up 14 points (second leading scorer), had five rebounds, four assists, 1 steal and 1 block in her collegiate debut
Against NC State, Davidson put up 21 points, had five blocks, four assists, three steals and was perfect from the free throw line (2-2). Davidson delivered the winning basket in USC's victory over NC State as the freshman made a fast break driving layup with 8 seconds remaining in the game.
Davidson posted a breakthrough performance versus Tennessee Tech, recording her first double-double as she finished with 20 points (9-of-14 FG) and a career-high 16 rebounds. Her 16 boards not only led all players but also marked the most by a USC freshman since Rayah Marshall's performance against Texas Southern on Dec. 18, 2021. Davidson also chipped in four assists and two blocks to round out the effort.
Against No. 21 Washington, Davidson notched her second career double-double with a game-high 22 points and team-high 12 rebounds. The freshman guard also contributed four assists, two blocks and a team-high two made three-pointers.
Against Cal, Davidson scored a career-high 24 points with her ninth consecutive double-figuring scoring performance and her 12th of the season, adding four rebounds, four blocks and matching her career best with three three-pointers.
At No. 20 Nebraska, Davidson scored 17 points and contributed five blocks, eight rebounds, three assists and 1 steal.
Davidson recorded her third double-double against Oregon, putting up 14 points, 13 rebounds (11 defensive), five assists, two blocks and two steals.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT DAVIDSON

"She plays well with the ball in her hands, and she makes good decisions, she makes great shots. Just a high-level player. Like, a really high-level player that doesn't really play like a freshman." - South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley
"Jazzy Davidson has no weaknesses in her game and she's just a freshman. USC has another superstar." - NFL Network/SI.com, Kendell Hollowell
"Jazzy Davidson was the No. 1 overall recruit for a reason. She can do everything. An instant star for USC." - NFL Network/SI.com, Kendell Hollowell
"It was a big night for freshman Jazzy Davidson, who's currently my frontrunner for NFOY." - On3 reporter Talia Goodman after USC defeated Washington
"She's probably the best freshman in the country at this point based on what has happend on the court, not the hype part." - UConn head coach Geno Auriemma

KENNEDY SMITH STEPS UP

Sophomore Kennedy Smith has stepped up for the Trojans this season under pressure, scoring in doube figures against No. 21 Washington (13), No. 2 UConn (16) and No. 20 Nebraska (17)
Smith posted a season best 17 points against No. 20 Nebraska, also contributing nine rebounds, six assists, two blocks and one steal
Through 15 games, Smith leads USC in assists per game (3.7) and is tied with Davidson in steals per game (1.8).

KARA DUNN DUNN DUNN

Senior Kara Dunn is averaging 11.4 points and 4.7 rebounds per game through 14 games (14 starts)
Dunn leads USC in offensive boards this season at 26 (1.9 offensive rpg)
Against No. 24 Notre Dame, Dunn led USC in scoring with 21 points
The senior has led USC in scoring three times and rebounding three times this season
Against Oregon, Dunn tied her season best 21 points to lead USC in scoring. The senior also had nine rebounds and four assists. She was also perfect from the charity stripe, shooting 5-5 from the line

KEEPING UP WITH JONES

Appearing in her first ever game as a Trojan, UCLA transfer Londynn Jones led USC in scoring, putting up 16 points off the bench. The senior came off the bench for 18 minutes and had three rebounds, three assists and two steals. She was also 4-4 from the charity stripe.
Against New Mexico State, Jones led USC in scoring, putting up 16 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Jones' 19 points off the bench were crucial in USC's 69-68 victory over No. 9 NC State. The senior also had three rebounds and three assists against the Wolfpack.
Against Cal Poly, Jones put up a career high 28 points, while also contributing 2 rebounds and four steals in just 23 minutes played.
Through 13 games (11 coming off the bench), Jones averaged 12.5 points, 1.5 RBG and 1.8 APG in 23.3 minutes/game (avg).
The senior got her first start as a Trojan against Pepperdine on Nov. 28, recording six points, five assists and one rebound. Against Saint Mary's, Jones put up a team-high 17 points.
Jones, who has appeared in 123 consecutive collegiate games (108 at UCLA. 15 at USC), has recorded nine double-figure scoring performances for the Women of Troy this season.