No. 18 USC showed it can still win big games without injured star JuJu Watkins, rallying late for a 69-68 road victory over No. 9 North Carolina State on Sunday in Charlotte.
Freshman guard Jazzy Davidson delivered the signature moment of her young career, driving into the lane and scoring the go-ahead basket with 8.2 seconds remaining. The Wolfpack had a final chance to answer, but a contested shot in the paint missed as time expired, sealing a statement win for the Trojans.
Davidson was dominant in every phase, finishing with 21 points, four rebounds, four assists, five blocks and three steals in her second collegiate game. Her length and defensive activity helped USC erase what had been an 11-point deficit entering the fourth quarter. The Trojans outscored NC State 19-7 in the final frame.
Londynn Jones added 19 points and provided key shot-making throughout the second half, while Kennedy Smith posted 10 points and eight rebounds. USC shot just 36.8 percent from the field and struggled from deep, but made up for it with defense, forcing 18 turnovers while only committing seven of their own.
NC State controlled the game early behind guard Zoe Brooks, who scored 24 points and attacked the Trojans inside. The Wolfpack dominated the glass 54-40 and appeared to have the game in hand midway through the fourth quarter. But turnovers and missed free throws opened the door for USC’s late push.
USC’s comeback was fueled by its defense, holding NC State without a field goal for the final four minutes. Davidson blocked two shots in the closing stretch, while Jones hit a clutch three-pointer to tie the game before the freshman delivered the winning bucket off a high ball screen.
The victory is a major early-season boost for USC, which entered the year with Final Four expectations but lost Watkins to a torn ACL before the season began. Head coach Lindsay Gottlieb has leaned on a group of young perimeter players, and Sunday’s win showed the Trojans still have the talent to compete with the nation’s elite.
The Trojans improved to 2-0 and return home for a non-conference matchup later this week. NC State fell to 1-1 and will look to regroup after letting a double-digit advantage slip away.
For USC, the future arrived quickly — and on Sunday, a freshman delivered it in the final seconds.