UPDATE: In a thrilling showdown at Chase Center on October 15, 2023, the University of Southern California (USC) narrowly defeated the University of California (Cal) with a score of 61-57, propelled by the outstanding performance of freshman sensation Jazzy Davidson, who scored 24 points.
The game highlighted the immense talent in women’s basketball, with Davidson showcasing her skills against a determined Cal team. Despite their best efforts, Cal could not contain Davidson, who dominated the scoreboard and proved pivotal in crucial moments.
Cal started strong, trailing by just three points at halftime. The Bears made a powerful comeback, scoring seven unanswered points to seize a three-point lead early in the third quarter, prompting USC’s coach, Lindsay Gottlieb, to call a timeout. Cal’s defense tightened, limiting Davidson to just three points in the third quarter, allowing the Bears to expand their lead to as much as nine points.
However, USC rallied late in the quarter, finishing with a 10-3 run to close the gap to two points heading into the final period. The tension escalated in the final moments, with USC taking a four-point lead with under 90 seconds remaining, thanks to a clutch jumper from Kara Dunn.
Cal fought back with two free throws from Gisella Maul, cutting the deficit to just two points with 1:15 left on the clock. A critical turnover by Cal and a missed free throw from Sakima Walker proved costly, as USC capitalized on every opportunity at the foul line to secure the win.
Throughout the game, Cal’s scoring was supported by Walker, who finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds, alongside Taylor Barnes and Lulu Twidale, each contributing 13 and 11 points respectively. The Bears shot 41% from the field and effectively contained USC’s secondary scoring threat during the first half, allowing only Davidson to shine.
USC’s defense forced 11 turnovers from Cal, resulting in nine points and helping the Trojans establish a 31-28 lead at halftime. The victory keeps USC’s momentum alive as they continue to build on their season’s aspirations.
Looking ahead, Cal will host Cal Poly next Sunday, eager to bounce back from this narrow defeat. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see if Cal can capitalize on the lessons learned from this hard-fought game.
