No. 2 UCLA powers past USC

LOS ANGELES, CA -Senior Night at the Galen Center was never going to be just another game. It was emotion layered over rivalry, pride layered over pressure. 

The USC Trojans walked into their final home game knowing the opponent, UCLA, was not just any team. It was the team. The crosstown rival. The measuring stick. The final score read 73–50 in favor of the Bruins. 

But this game was about more than the scoreboard. It was about fight. It was about heart. It was about refusing to fold.

A Rivalry That Means Something

When USC and UCLA meet, records almost feel secondary. Still, context matters. UCLA came in as one of the top teams in the country, deep, physical, and disciplined. USC entered knowing they would have to disrupt, swarm, and scrap for every possession.

And they did. From the opening quarter, the defensive game plan was clear: keep the ball out of Lauren Betts’ hands. Double her. Crowd her. Make someone else beat you. USC swarmed her in the paint. They forced passes. They made her uncomfortable.

Betts finished with five points but still impacted the game on the glass, pulling down 15 rebounds and dishing five assists. USC’s effort defensively was undeniable. USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb said it plainly after the game.

“I thought we were in the fight. We really wanted to keep them from scoring points in our paint,” Gottlieb remarked. “ That obviously begins with Lauren Betts, and I thought we swarmed her.”

The Trojans did not let the Bruins dominate easily inside. The problem came elsewhere.

The Rebounding Battle

The difference in the game was not effort. It was second chances. UCLA grabbed 22 offensive rebounds. Twenty-two extra opportunities. When asked what needed to improve on the defensive glass, Gottlieb did not sugarcoat it.

“Box out more physically,” she said. “Rip the ball.”

Those extra possessions turned into points. While USC held Betts relatively quiet in the scoring column, UCLA’s depth showed up. Charlisse Leger-Walker led all scorers with 20 points and added six rebounds and four assists. 

Gianna Kneepkens and Gabriela Jaquez each contributed 14 points, while Kiki Rice added 11. Balanced scoring and second-chance opportunities created the separation. That is what elite teams do.

Jazzy Davidson Continues to Grow

If there was a steady presence in the storm, it was freshman guard Jazzy Davidson. Davidson attacked. She defended. She competed possession after possession. Even when the shots did not fall, the effort never wavered. 

She finished with 12 points and continued to show why she is one of the most impactful freshmen in the country. Gottlieb did not hesitate when asked about her young guard.

“If we said best freshman in the country, it wouldn’t be enough because she’s one of the best players in the country,” Gottlieb said. “She’s leading us in every category. She’s a national defensive player of the year candidate.”

That is not typical freshman praise. That is program cornerstone praise. Davidson has shouldered responsibility all season. She missed early practice time before the season yet has grown into one of USC’s primary leaders.

On Senior Night, that growth showed not just in scoring attempts, but in poise. She did not tap out. She did not shy away. She kept competing.

Senior Night Means Something

Before the opening tip, the ceremony honored seniors Londynn Jones and Kara Dunn. Gottlieb reflected on what both meant to the program.

“I’ve never had a senior night where both seniors were one-year transfers, and it has never felt temporary for one second.”

Jones represents continuity within the Trojan program. Dunn embraced the culture immediately upon arrival.

“Being a Trojan is a lifetime thing,” Gottlieb said. “I hope they feel the love back.”

And they did. The crowd was loud. The energy was strong. Even in stretches when UCLA created separation, the building never felt disconnected. That says something about the program.

A League That Demands Growth

USC finishes the regular season in a conference that sent seven teams into hosting positions for postseason play. It is not an easy league. There are no nights off. Gottlieb acknowledged the difficulty.

“There’s a couple teams that are really elite, and then there’s a whole bunch of teams that can beat anyone on any night.”

USC believes it belongs in that group that can compete with anyone. They are not where they ultimately want to be. But they are not broken.

More Than a Score

By halftime, UCLA had built a 38–20 lead. By the fourth quarter, the gap stretched. But even with the margin widening, USC’s effort remained. The Trojans continued doubling Betts. They continued rotating defensively. They continued contesting shots.

They did not stop fighting. And sometimes, that matters more in March than a February scoreline. Gottlieb believes there is still another level her team can reach.

“I still believe our team has yet one more level that we can get to.”

That belief is not built from blind optimism. It is built from culture. She spoke about players lining up chairs in the locker room, about young athletes investing in something bigger than themselves, about growth deposits that will pay off long term. This is not a one-season vision. This is a program vision.

Looking Ahead

USC now turns its attention to the conference tournament. The mentality does not shift dramatically. The focus narrows.

“We’re focused on Washington,” Gottlieb said. “You don’t get to do the next one unless you beat Washington.”