USC play for something bigger on Pink Night

Los Angeles, CA (News4usonline) – It was more than a game at the Galen Center for the USC Trojans.

Yes, USC extended its winning streak to six with a 66–59 victory over Wisconsin. Yes, Jazzy Davidson filled up the stat sheet again. Yes, the Trojans improved to 17–9 overall and 9–6 in Big Ten play.

But this one carried weight. Pink jerseys. Survivors in the building. It was a community cause that went beyond the scoreboard.

“It’s a special day to be able to play for things that are bigger than ourselves,” head coach Lindsay Gottlieb said postgame, referencing the program’s “Ken for K” initiative supporting preventative cancer screenings in underserved communities. Nearly $9,000 had already been raised by the end of the night.

On a night meant to honor fighters, USC played like one.

Context

• USC improved to 17–9 overall and 9–6 in Big Ten play.

• Wisconsin fell to 13–14 overall and 5–11 in conference.

• USC has now won six consecutive games, building momentum ahead of a difficult stretch.

• The Trojans led 30–27 at halftime in a tightly contested first half that featured five lead changes.

• USC shot 39% from the field (23–59) and just 23% from three (6–26) — not an efficient offensive night.

• Wisconsin shot 35% overall (24–69) and struggled against USC’s perimeter pressure.

• Jazzy Davidson finished with 24 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals, and 3 blocks, controlling the game across every level.

• Nearly $9,000 had been raised by the end of the night for cancer screenings, with a goal of reaching $10,000 by midnight.

A Game That Wasn’t Perfect — But Was Tough

This wasn’t USC’s cleanest offensive performance. The Trojans shot just 39 percent from the field and 23 percent from three. But when the shots weren’t falling, something else showed up. Defense.

Wisconsin shot 35 percent overall and struggled to find rhythm against USC’s perimeter pressure. The Trojans forced uncomfortable possessions, jumped passing lanes, and made the Badgers earn everything.

This was a composure win.

USC led 14–11 after the first quarter and 30–27 at halftime. The third quarter is where they created real separation, outscoring Wisconsin 21–20 while tightening up defensively and capitalizing on mistakes. By the time the fourth quarter ticked under a minute, USC held a 55–46 edge and never let the game slip away.

Jazzy Davidson: Complete Control

If there was a headline performance, it belonged to Jazzy Davidson. Davidson finished the game with an electric performance. Her stat line read: 24 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals, and 3 blocks. It wasn’t just scoring. It was control.

Gottlieb said the game has “slowed down” for her and you can see it. The reads are sharper. The pace is intentional. She’s not rushing into plays. She’s dictating them.

“She’s a lot more comfortable now than she was at the beginning of the season,” Gottlieb said. “The reads have slowed down. You see the versatility in her game come out.”

Davidson is not forcing greatness. She’s growing into it. And the difference shows.

Growth in Real Time

Laura (career-high blocks on the boards) was described as a “dynamo.” Kennedy Smith battled through illness earlier in the day and still competed. Kara Dunn added 14 points to the Trojans’ victory.

This is a team buying into roles. Gottlieb said that clearly. But she sees toughness. She sees growth. She sees players understanding the progression of reads — when to pull up, when to kick, when to backdoor. And that’s the difference between talented and connected.

“We didn’t make enough shots tonight,” Gottlieb admitted. “But our execution was key.”

When USC needed an ATO bucket or a defensive stop, they found one.

Playing for More Than Wins

The postgame conversation circled back to what mattered most.

“Cancer shouldn’t disproportionately affect poor communities or communities of color,” Gottlieb said. “We’re proud to use our platform.”

They want to hit $10,000 raised by midnight. That matters. Because sometimes a win looks like 66–59. And sometimes a win looks like screenings that save lives.

Big Picture

The Trojans have won six straight games. Momentum is building, even though there is a long road trip ahead with tougher opponents waiting for them. But this team is connected. They are tough. And they are learning how to close games in ways that matter in March.

On Pink Night, they did both. They honored something bigger, and they took care of business.