LOS ANGELES — It took some time for the 18th-ranked USC women’s basketball team to click on Tuesday night. But the result was well worth the wait.
The Trojans forced turnovers to boost their transition offense and routed New Mexico State, 87-48, in their season opener at the Galen Center.
“I’m really excited about this team for a lot of different reasons,” head coach Lindsay Gottlieb said. “I think tonight, we showed things that we’re capable of. And, also, there’s some areas to improve, and everyone’s in a brand-new role – everyone.”
Londynn Jones, a UCLA transfer, came off the bench to score a game-high 16 points. Typically a strong 3-point shooter, Jones drove to the paint often and shot 6 for 11 from the field.
“Something that I work on a lot is just trying to make the right read and just taking the defense is giving me,” Jones said. “Obviously, I know I can shoot, but I think I’m able to do so much more and just showcasing it.”
True freshman Jazzy Davidson played a team-high 32 minutes in her Trojans debut and scored 14 points while dishing out four assists and grabbing five rebounds.
USC is refining its identity without injured star JuJu Watkins, who was presented the 2024-25 John R. Wooden Award trophy prior to the game. Watkins, who is likely to miss the entire season after tearing an ACL in her knee during the NCAA Tournament last March, sat at the end of the bench for the duration of the game, wearing a gray tracksuit and a low bun instead of the famous sky-high bun that she wears when she plays.
“She’s been very intentional about pouring into people and being really present,” Gottlieb said. “That’s great for all of us. Next thing I’m going to add to her list is to draw up some plays – we’ll see.”
Smith has the potential to fill the void left by Watkins and become the Trojans’ main playmaker this season. She won the opening jump ball and scored the first points of the game on a layup just eight seconds in.
The 6-foot-1 sophomore drained a 3-pointer from the left side with six minutes gone on the clock, then knocked down three free throws to give USC a 16-13 advantage a minute later.
“Ken’s a winner and she’s a competitor,” Gottlieb said. “She played a ton last year. She was a really important part of our team, but I think she has to shoulder different loads, different responsibilities this year, and we’re going to continue to watch her blossom with that and grow.”
New Mexico State – a team that has eight international players – played a physical game, backing into players and running closely alongside them. The style of play also lent itself to turnovers, and USC forced 24 of them.
The Trojans also got to the free-throw line and made 16 of 23 foul shots in the first half. That, combined with a 9-0 run, helped them establish a 45-23 lead by halftime.
Davidson, the No. 1 recruit in the 2025 class, was in a starting lineup that included four guards. She struggled with her shot all night, finishing 4 for 16 from the field (0 for 7 from 3-point range), but she went 6 for 7 at the free-throw line.
“I’m just super grateful to be here, for the opportunity,” Davidson told reporters. “I mean, it’s surreal playing in my first college game, so I’m just super excited. A little nervous at first, but I got over it. My teammates and coaches just reminded me to slow down, and staying in the moment really helped.”
Davidson’s confidence appeared to increase in the second quarter. She made a jump shot with 1:31 left until halftime and was in position to make a 3-point shot, but she was thrown off when she was bodied by a defender. However, Kara Dunn was perfectly in place for a clutch put-back basket with 13 seconds left.
USC plugged away in the second half and, at one point, led by 41 points as Dunn continued to battle on the boards. She finished with 12 points and a game-high eight rebounds.
“I thought the offensive boards were a big, bright spot for us tonight,” Gottlieb said. “That’s just the way you can get yourself second opportunities. It’s a way you can wear teams down, get to the free-throw line a ton. I mean, that’s Kara.”
The Trojans next travel to Charlotte, North Carolina to play No. 9 North Carolina State on Sunday at noon PT.
