USC Women's Basketball Travels to Northwestern on Thursday

Thursday, February 5

Evanston, Ill.

6:00 p.m.

USC

Northwestern

Rian Forestier puts up a shot from behind three

Photo by: Katie Chin/USC Athletics

USC Women's Basketball Travels to Northwestern on Thursday

February 03, 2026 | Women's Basketball

Game Notes

Trojans meet Wildcats for the first time as Big Ten rivals.

USC women's basketball will travel east this week as the Trojans face Northwestern on Thursday, Feb. 5 at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, Illinois. The game will tipoff at 8 p.m. CT / 6 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network.

Thursday's game marks the first contest between the two programs since USC's move to the Big Ten Conference. Last season, Northwestern and USC did not compete due to a forfeit. The two programs have not met since 1990.

USC is riding a two-game winning streak entering road play this week.

SERIES RECORD: 2-1
LAST MEETING: L, 70-63 (December 1, 1990) - Evanston, Ill.
HEAD COACH: Joe McKeown (18th season - 276-271)
CONFERENCE: Big Ten Conference
STREAK: L, 1-0
TV/STREAM: Big Ten Network (PxP - Mike Hall, Analyst - Shimmy Miller)
LISTEN: ESPN LA 710 AM / USC Gameday App / ESPNLA App

A WIN WOULD

Be the 890th win in program history (889-575)
Be head coach Lindsay Gottlieb's 107th win at USC (106-45)
Be head coach Lindsay Gottlieb's 342nd win as a head coach (341-173)
Help USC improve to 6-6 in conference play
Help USC stay undefeated in the month of February (1-0 currently)

SCOUTING NORTHWESTERN

Northwestern is ranked No. 15 in the Big Ten Conference, going to 2-8 in conference play
On Feb. 1, Rutgers fell to Indiana (75-89), marking their fourth consecutive loss
SR guard Caroline Lau leads the NCAA and Big Ten in assists per game (8.8) and the Big Ten in total assists (185)
SR forward Grace Sullivan leads the Big Ten in total field goals (192) and is ranked No. 3 for points per game (21.8)
SO forward Tayla Thomas is ranked No. 2 in the Big Ten for rebounds per game (8.3)

NUGGETS OF KNOWLEDGE

As a squad, USC is tied for sixth nationally and leads the Big Ten in blocks per game (6.0) (131 total)
Senior Kara Dunn has been an offensive weapon for the Trojans through the last eight games, averaging 23.8 ppg (shooting 53.8 percent from the field). The senior is also averaging 6.8 rpg, 2.9 apg and 1.9 spg (through the last eight).
Freshman Jazzy Davidson leads the Trojans in points per game (16.2), rebounds per game (6.4), assists per game (4.2), blocks per game (2.3), steals per game (1.9) and minutes played (33:51).
Davidson has recorded 22 double-figuring scoring games this season, including 18 straight games since Nov. 18. Davidson also has eight 20+ point performances this season.
Davidson is 13th nationally and leads the Big Ten in blocks (51). The freshman is 14th nationally and leads the Big Ten in blocks per game (2.32).
Davidson is 5th in the Big Ten and 15th nationally in field goal attempts (342). She is also 3rd amongst all D1 freshman in field goal attempts (342).
Sophomore Kennedy Smith and freshman Jazzy Davidson lead USC in steals per game (1.9)
Senior Londynn Jones has appeared in 130 consecutive collegiate games (108 at UCLA, 22 at USC)

LAST TIME OUT

USC defeated Rutgers 71-39 on sunday, Feb. 1
USC's 57 rebounds were a season best, their previous being 50 vs. No. 21 Washington on Dec. 7
With a game-high 18 points, SR Kara Dunn recorded her 12th consecutive double figure game. She also had six rebounds and two assists
FR Jazzy Davidson recorded her 19th consecutive game scoring in double figures with 16 points. The guard also contributed nine rebounds, five assists and three steals with a game-high +30 rating. Davidson accounted for 28 total points in the contest, including 12 generated off her five assists.
R-FR Laura Williams tallied a career-high 11 rebounds, 10 of which were all recorded in a single quarter
SO Kennedy Smith scored 11 points with two made three pointers, her most made three pointers since Nov. 18 vs. Portland (3)
The game marked USC's second time this season holding an opponent to single digit scoring in three of four quarters (Q2: 8, Q3: 8, Q4: 8)

HAWKEYE HUNTING

USC stunned No. 8 Iowa 81-69 on Thursday, Jan. 29
The win marked the first time an unranked USC women's basketball team beat a top 10 opponent since beating No. 2 Stanford in 2023
USC's win marked the first over Iowa since the first-ever meeting between the two programs on Nov. 30, 1984, now snapping Iowa's five-game win streak against USC.
Marked USC's second victory against a top 10 ranked opponent this season (Nov. 9 vs. No. 9 NC State)
With a game-high 25 points (8-for-14 FG, 6-for-9 FT) and a game and season-high 12 rebounds, SR Kara Dunn has now scored over 1,500 career points (1,523) and tallied her fifth career and second consecutive. This game also marks her 11th consecutive game scoring in double figures and seventh consecutive game with +20 points. Her six made free throws were a season high
The game marked FR Jazzy Davidson's 18th consecutive game scoring in double figures with 21 points. She also recorded four rebounds, a game-high two steals and a team and career-high eight assists
SR Londynn Jones contributed 17 points (7-for-11 FG, 3-for-5 3PT) and two assists. Her 17 points and seven field goals were her most since Dec. 18 vs. Cal Poly (28 PTS, 11 FGs)
SO Kennedy Smith recorded 12 points, five rebounds and three assists
JR Dayana Mendes matched her career high and recorded a new season high in assists with three
USC's five turnovers were its fewest in a game this season

MATCHUP AT MICHIGAN

USC fell 73-67 to No. 7 Michigan on Jan. 25, 2026
The game marked FR Jazzy Davidson's 17th consecutive game scoring in double figures with 11 points. She also led with a career and team-high seven assists
With 26 points (9-for-15 FG, 3-for-7 3PT, 5-for-5 FT), SR Kara Dunn tallied her 10th consecutive game scoring in double figures and sixth consecutive game with +20 points. The guard also recorded a season-high 10 rebounds, tallying her fourth career double double and first of this season
SO Kennedy Smith contributed five points, four assists and a team-high three steals
The Trojans' 31 points in the third quarter were their most points scored in any quarter this season
USC led Michigan in bench points 19-6

TROJANS VS. SPARTANS

USC came up short against No. 13 Michigan State, falling 74-68 to the Spartans on Thursday, Jan. 22.
FR Jazzy Davidson recorded her 19th straight game with at least one block, finishing with a game-high five, and scored 21 points (8-for-16 FG, 4-for-4 FT) to extend her double-figure scoring streak to 16 games.
SR Kara Dunn led USC with 23 points on 10-for-18 shooting, marking her ninth consecutive game in double figures and fifth straight with 20-plus points. She added six rebounds, three steals and two blocks.
SO Kennedy Smith, in her second game back, totaled 15 points, six rebounds, four assists and a team- and season-high four steals.
Dayana Mendes and Vivian Iwuchukwu each grabbed six rebounds, a season high for Mendes and a career high for Iwuchukwu.
USC finished with 11 blocks — its second-most this season — shot a season-best 87.5 percent from the free-throw line, outrebounded Michigan State 42-33 and held a 7-2 edge in bench points.

BEAT THE BOILERMAKERS

USC beat Purdue 83-57 on Sunday, Jan. 18
The win marked USC's first of 2026
The game marked FR Jazzy Davidson's 18th straight game with one or more blocks, recording one against the Boilermakers, and her 15th straight game scoring in double figures. The guard also contributed 13 points (4-for-4 FT), six assists and a team-high three steals
SR Kara Dunn recorded a season-high 29 points and 12 made field goals along with a team-high five rebounds. This is her eighth consecutive game scoring in double figures and fourth consecutive game with +20 points
SO Kennedy Smith returned to competition for the first time since Jan. 3 at UCLA. She contributed six assists, two steals and a team-high two blocks with a game-high +30 rating
The Trojans' 25 assists were their second most in a game this season

TOUGH ONE AGAINST THE TERRAPINS

USC narrowly fell 62-55 to No. 12 Maryland on Thursday, Jan. 15
SR Kara Dunn scored a game-high 21 points, seven field goals and four three pointers. The guard also had five rebounds and five assists
The game marked R-FR Laura Williams' first collegiate start of her career
Every Trojan that checked into the game scored at least two points from the field

A MINNESOTA MINUTE

USC narrowly fell 63-62 to Minnesota on Sunday, Jan. 11
14 made three-pointers and 45.2% three-point average were a season-best
SR Kara Dunn scored a season-high 27 points, 10 made field goals, and five made three pointers. The guard also recorded a career-high six steals
The game marked FR Jazzy Davidson's 16th straight game with one or more blocks, recording two against the Gophers, and her 13th straight game scoring in double figures. The guard also made a career-high five three-pointers
JR Malia Samuels matched her season high in made three-pointers with two in the first quarter and posted a team-high +8 rating. She also contributed a game-high six assists

DOWN THE STRETCH WITH THE DUCKS

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
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
SO Kennedy Smith put up a season best 17 points and a season high 9 rebounds
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)
Freshman Jazzy Davidson leads the Trojans in points per game (16.2), rebounds per game (6.4), assists per game (4.2), blocks per game (2.3), steals per game (1.9) and minutes played (33:51).
Davidson has recorded 22 double-figuring scoring games this season, including 18 straight games since Nov. 18. Davidson also has eight 20+ point performances this season.
Davidson is 13th nationally and leads the Big Ten in blocks (51). The freshman is 14th nationally and leads the Big Ten in blocks per game (2.32).
Davidson is 5th in the Big Ten and 15th nationally in field goal attempts (342). She is also 3rd amongst all D1 freshman in field goal attempts (342).
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.
Against No. 8 Iowa on Jan. 29, the freshman delivered a complete performance with 21 points and eight assists, accounting for 40 total points. Davidson also added four rebounds, two steals and one block in USC's statement win at the Galen Center.

KENNEDY SMITH STEPS UP

Sophomore Kennedy Smith leads USC in steals per game (1.9)
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), No. 20 Nebraska (17), No. 13 Michigan State (15) and No. 8 Iowa (12).
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 led USC in assists per game (3.7) and wass tied with Davidson in steals per game (1.8).
Due to injury, Smith missed USC's games against Oregon, Minnesota and No. 12 Maryland

KARA GETS IT DUNN

Senior Kara Dunn has been an offensive weapon for the Trojans through the last eight games, averaging 23.8 ppg (shooting 53.8 percent from the field). The senior is also averaging 6.8 rpg, 2.9 apg and 1.9 spg (through the last eight).
With her 25 point performance against No. 8 Iowa, senior Kara Dunn officially surpassed 1,500 career points, sitting at 1,523 total
Dunn has posted 20+ points in seven of the last eight games, including a season best 29 points against Purdue.
The senior is averaging 20 ppg in conference play and 6.1 rpg
Dunn leads USC in offensive boards this season at 41 (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
At Minnesota, Dunn dropped 27 points, making five three-pointers and contributing six steals and three assists
Against No. 13 Michigan State, Dunn recorded 23 points, six rebounds and three steals
Against No. 7 Michigan, Dunn had her first double-double of the season, posting 26 points, ten rebounds, three assists and two fouls.

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 Cal Poly, Jones put up a career high 28 points, while also contributing 2 rebounds and four steals in just 23 minutes played.
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 130 consecutive collegiate games (108 at UCLA. 22 at USC), has recorded 11 double-figure scoring performances for the Women of Troy this season.
Jones has been clutch at the free throw line, shooting 85.2 percent from the charity stripe, while attempting a team-leading 54 this season (team high 46 made)