Jazzy Davidson glanced on the basket with lower than two minutes left in USC’s Large Ten opener and in a split-second’s time thought of her choices. Almost nothing had fallen from three-point vary for the Trojans. It took 25 minutes Sunday simply to see one three-pointer drop, and the Trojans had made solely two.
However the mere menace of the freshman pulling up from vary, even on an evening outlined by defensive battle, was sufficient to provide Davidson the sliver of house she wanted. After pausing she raced previous her defender and towards the basket, lifting for a finger roll that propelled USC previous Washington in a 59-50 victory.
The win wasn’t only a vital assertion for USC forward of its heavyweight battle with No. 1 Connecticut subsequent Saturday. It was additionally a serious mile marker for Lindsay Gottlieb, who grew to become the quickest coach in program historical past to succeed in 100 wins.
Washington wouldn’t make it simple. No. 16 USC (7-2 general, 1-0 Large Ten) and No. 21 Washington (8-1, 0-1) had battled, neither group managing to mount a double-digit lead. The Trojans seized the lead within the third quarter, however each effort to drag away was squashed by the Huskies.
A late flurry from a well-known face in former Trojans guard Avery Howell, who scored 13 of her 16 factors after halftime, saved Washington inside putting distance till the ultimate minute.
However USC refused to again down. With lower than 5 minutes left, Londynn Jones compelled a turnover, dove for a unfastened ball and began a quick break that was completed by Kara Dunn. Kennedy Smith, who scored 13 factors, hit a turnaround jumper within the paint on the subsequent journey down. After which with lower than two minutes left, Davidson took off via the lane, extending the result in 5.
“I noticed a resolve in our group,” Gottlieb stated. “I knew we may get the subsequent cease. I knew we may get the subsequent play.”
It was a livid finish to what had in any other case been a gritty battle between Large Ten foes. USC completed 23 for 60 from the sector after lacking its first 11 pictures. The Trojans by no means fairly discovered their stride from deep both, hitting simply two of 17 threes.
Davidson, particularly, opened the sport with none rhythm on offense. She began 0 for five and ice chilly from the perimeter. However the freshman hit 10 of her final 16 pictures and ended up with a career-high 22 factors to go together with 12 rebounds.
“There are just a few nights which can be like that,” Davidson stated. “Typically you’re simply off. These pictures you make 9 out of 10 instances, simply preserve taking pictures them.”
That was the sentiment for USC early on as nothing was falling for the Trojans. They had been held scoreless for the primary 8½ minutes as nobody appeared secure from the teamwide droop.
However with its offense struggling, USC’s protection did its half to muddy up the sport. After one quarter, neither group was taking pictures higher than 16%. They mixed to attain simply 12 factors within the first 10 minutes.
Gottlieb was significantly happy with that stretch, whilst USC struggled mightily to search out the ring. Nonetheless, the Trojans’ protection by no means let the early deficit develop. By halftime they’d tied the rating.
“To not rating for 8½ minutes and never lose our spirit and solely be down by 4, I believe, says loads about who we’ve turn out to be and are attempting to turn out to be,” Gottlieb stated.
USC’s renewed rebounding efforts additionally made an impression, after assistant coach Beth Burns challenged the group to be higher on the boards. The Trojans completed with 50 rebounds, a dozen greater than their opponents.
That further effort proved to be the distinction as USC held on in opposition to the Huskies, beginning its Large Ten slate with its grittiest win of the season thus far.
