UPDATE: In a thrilling showdown at Chase Center last night, the California Golden Bears narrowly lost to the No. 19 USC Trojans with a final score of 61-57. Freshman standout Jazzy Davidson dominated the court, scoring 24 points and leading USC to victory.
The game unfolded with intense back-and-forth action, showcasing the bright future of women’s basketball. Despite a fierce effort from Cal, which saw Sakima Walker and Taylor Barnes each contributing 13 points, they could not overcome Davidson’s impact in the crucial moments.
Cal trailed by just three points at halftime, showing resilience and determination. They surged out of the halftime break, scoring seven unanswered points to take a three-point lead, prompting USC’s coach Lindsay Gottlieb to call a timeout. Cal’s defense managed to hold Davidson to just three points in the third quarter, allowing them to expand their lead to as much as nine points.
However, USC fought back, ending the third quarter on a strong note with a 10-3 run, closing the gap to just two points heading into the final quarter. The final moments were tense as Kara Dunn sank a jumper to give USC a four-point lead with less than 90 seconds remaining.
Cal’s Gisella Maul managed to cut the deficit to two with a pair of free throws at the 1:15 mark. Yet, a critical turnover and a missed free throw from Walker proved costly, as USC capitalized on every opportunity, sealing their win at the free-throw line.
Despite the loss, Cal’s performance showed promise, shooting 41% from the field and effectively limiting USC’s scoring options in the first half. Davidson’s impressive first-half performance with 14 points was countered by Cal’s strong defensive strategy, which initially held other USC scorers to just a handful of points.
The Bears now shift their focus to their next game against Cal Poly next Sunday, looking to bounce back from this narrow defeat.
For fans and analysts, this game was a testament to the thrilling potential of collegiate women’s basketball, with both teams displaying skill and determination. The stakes continue to rise as the season progresses, and all eyes will be on Cal as they aim to reclaim their momentum.
