UPDATE: In a thrilling showdown at Chase Center on Sunday night, the California Golden Bears narrowly lost to the No. 19 USC Trojans with a final score of 61-57. Freshman standout Jazzy Davidson was the star of the game, scoring 24 points and leading USC to victory.
The Bears fought hard, with Sakima Walker contributing 13 points and 10 rebounds, but it was not enough to overcome Davidson’s brilliance. The game was tightly contested, with Cal trailing by just three points at halftime.
Coming out strong after the break, Cal surged ahead with a seven-point streak, forcing USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb to call a timeout. The Bears managed to limit Davidson’s scoring to just three points in the third quarter, allowing them to build a lead of up to nine points. However, USC responded with a 10-3 run at the end of the quarter, closing the gap to two points as they headed into the final period.
With less than 90 seconds remaining, Kara Dunn hit a critical jumper, giving USC a four-point lead. A quick response from Gisella Maul, who sunk two free throws, brought Cal to within two points. Yet, a turnover at a pivotal moment and a missed free throw from Walker sealed Cal’s fate, as USC capitalized on their free throw opportunities to secure the win.
Throughout the game, Cal’s defense proved resilient, holding USC to a mere 41% shooting percentage from the field. Notably, USC struggled to find a secondary scorer in the first half, with Davidson accounting for 14 points and no other player exceeding seven points. However, USC’s defense forced Cal into 11 turnovers, translating into nine crucial points that helped them build a 31-28 lead by halftime.
Cal will look to bounce back as they prepare to host Cal Poly next Sunday. As the Bears reflect on their near-miss against a ranked opponent, the focus will be on improving execution in critical moments to turn close games into victories.
Stay tuned for updates on how Cal responds in their upcoming matchup. This game showcased the potential of both teams and highlighted the rising talent in women’s basketball.
