University Southern California Trojans
Sunday, February 8
Urbana-Champaign, Ill.
10:00 AM
USC
15-9,7-6Big Ten
70
at
62
Illinois
16-8,6-7Big Ten
1
2
3
4
F
Southern California
23
14
14
19
70
Illinois
13
10
14
25
62
Photo by: Katie Chin/USC Athletics
Career Highs from Davidson, Smith Lead USC to 70–62 Win at Illinois
February 08, 2026 | Women's Basketball
Trojans pick up third straight Big Ten win.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Behind career-high performances from freshman Jazzy Davidson and sophomore Kennedy Smith, USC women's basketball held off Illinois for a 70–62 victory Sunday.
With the win, the Trojans improve to 15-9 overall and 7-6 in Big Ten play.
USC set the tone early, opening the game on a 9–0 run as Smith accounted for the Trojans' first seven points with a pair of strong finishes at the rim. The Women of Troy's defense was just as sharp, holding Illinois to one point over the first six minutes, while Smith and LauraWilliams combined for three early blocks. Davidson made her presence felt immediately as well, scoring eight points and dishing out four assists in the opening quarter to help USC take a 23–13 lead.
The Trojans continued to build separation in the second quarter, limiting Illinois to just two points in the first six minutes. A Smith three-pointer pushed the advantage to 32–15, while a triple from Dayana Mendes highlighted another USC scoring surge. The Women of Troy carried a 37–23 lead into halftime after holding the Illini to just 10 points in the period.
Davidson opened the second half with a step-back jumper as USC rolled out to a 6–0 run to start the third quarter. The freshman scored six of USC's 14 points in the frame, while Williams added a late bucket in the paint to keep the Trojans' lead at 14 heading into the final period.
Illinois made its push in the fourth, but USC answered with timely baskets from Smith, Davidson and Williams. Davidson was steady at the line down the stretch, going 4-for-4 in the final two minutes to seal the win.
Davidson finished with a career-high 27 points, adding eight rebounds and eight assists for a near triple-double effort. The performance marked her 21st consecutive game scoring in double figures and her ninth 20-point outing of the season.
Smith matched her career night with a career-high 20 points, while also posting a career-best six blocks.
Up next, USC returns to the Galen Center to take on Indiana on Thursday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m.
MAIN TAKEAWAYS:
- With the win, USC improves to 2-0 all-time against the Fighting Illini
- FR Jazzy Davidson recorded a career-high 27 points, also contributing eight rebounds and eight assists against the Illini.
-Today marked FR Jazzy Davidson's 21st consecutive game scoring in double figures with 27 points. The 27 points marked Davidson's ninth game scoring 20+ points this season.
- USC SO Kennedy Smith scored a season and career high 20 points against the Illini. The sophomore also posted a career-best six blocks and added seven rebounds. The six blocks were a season high for the Trojans.
- With 14 points, SR Kara Dunn has now scored in double figures for 14 consecutive games. The guard also contributed three rebounds
- USC scored 18 points off 13 Illinois turnovers
- R-FR Laura Williams had 10 rebounds, including four offensive boards
With the win, the Trojans improve to 15-9 overall and 7-6 in Big Ten play.
USC set the tone early, opening the game on a 9–0 run as Smith accounted for the Trojans' first seven points with a pair of strong finishes at the rim. The Women of Troy's defense was just as sharp, holding Illinois to one point over the first six minutes, while Smith and LauraWilliams combined for three early blocks. Davidson made her presence felt immediately as well, scoring eight points and dishing out four assists in the opening quarter to help USC take a 23–13 lead.
The Trojans continued to build separation in the second quarter, limiting Illinois to just two points in the first six minutes. A Smith three-pointer pushed the advantage to 32–15, while a triple from Dayana Mendes highlighted another USC scoring surge. The Women of Troy carried a 37–23 lead into halftime after holding the Illini to just 10 points in the period.
Davidson opened the second half with a step-back jumper as USC rolled out to a 6–0 run to start the third quarter. The freshman scored six of USC's 14 points in the frame, while Williams added a late bucket in the paint to keep the Trojans' lead at 14 heading into the final period.
Illinois made its push in the fourth, but USC answered with timely baskets from Smith, Davidson and Williams. Davidson was steady at the line down the stretch, going 4-for-4 in the final two minutes to seal the win.
Davidson finished with a career-high 27 points, adding eight rebounds and eight assists for a near triple-double effort. The performance marked her 21st consecutive game scoring in double figures and her ninth 20-point outing of the season.
Smith matched her career night with a career-high 20 points, while also posting a career-best six blocks.
Up next, USC returns to the Galen Center to take on Indiana on Thursday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m.
MAIN TAKEAWAYS:
- With the win, USC improves to 2-0 all-time against the Fighting Illini
- FR Jazzy Davidson recorded a career-high 27 points, also contributing eight rebounds and eight assists against the Illini.
-Today marked FR Jazzy Davidson's 21st consecutive game scoring in double figures with 27 points. The 27 points marked Davidson's ninth game scoring 20+ points this season.
- USC SO Kennedy Smith scored a season and career high 20 points against the Illini. The sophomore also posted a career-best six blocks and added seven rebounds. The six blocks were a season high for the Trojans.
- With 14 points, SR Kara Dunn has now scored in double figures for 14 consecutive games. The guard also contributed three rebounds
- USC scored 18 points off 13 Illinois turnovers
- R-FR Laura Williams had 10 rebounds, including four offensive boards
Team Stats
USC
Illini
FG%
.444
.394
3FG%
.267
.143
FT%
.833
.615
RB
40
38
TO
15
13
STL
6
9
Game Leaders
Pts
27
FGM
11
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Pts
20
FGM
7
3FGM
2
FTM
4
Pts
6
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G/F
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballUSC Women’s Basketball vs Illinois Highlights | Trojans win 70-62
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