Freshman Jazzy Davidson Shines with 24 Points, Leading No. 19 USC to Victory Over California
SAN FRANCISCO — Freshman Jazzy Davidson propelled the No. 19 USC women’s basketball team to a narrow 61-57 victory over California in the Invisalign Bay Area Women’s Classic on Sunday, contributing a season-high 24 points. With just over four minutes remaining, Davidson made a crucial layup that gave the Trojans the lead.
Following Davidson’s pivotal basket, teammate Londynn Jones extended the lead with a jumper, part of a 6-0 scoring run that allowed USC to gain control of the game. The Trojans effectively countered each threat from the Golden Bears with key defensive plays and significant baskets.
In a tense moment with 43.8 seconds left, Cal, down 56-54, called a timeout. However, USC’s Kennedy Smith intercepted a bad pass from Sakima Walker, further solidifying the Trojans’ grip on the game.
Davidson, one of four USC players averaging double digits this season, shot nine of 21 from the field and made three three-pointers. She scored 14 points by halftime, helping USC to a narrow 31-28 lead, and the Trojans excelled defensively, limiting Cal to just five three-point attempts and forcing 11 turnovers.
California’s Walker led her team’s efforts with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while teammates Lulu Twidale and Taylor Barnes each added 11 points. The long-standing Pac-12 rivals faced off at Chase Center, home to the Golden State Warriors, where fans eagerly awaited a glimpse of injured USC star JuJu Watkins entering with the team.
The game featured USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb, who previously coached Cal from 2011 to 2019, leading them to their first Final Four in the 2012-13 season. In a concerning moment during the game, Cal’s Gisella Maul went down in the closing moments of the third quarter and was helped to the locker room.
Following a challenging performance against Stanford, where they shot five of 20 from three-point range in a 78-69 loss, Cal struggled further, going only one for 11 from beyond the arc against USC.
The Trojans have already claimed victories over top-25 teams such as North Carolina State and Washington this season. Looking ahead, USC will open Big Ten play on Monday against Nebraska.
