Keep fighting on: USC shows Lindsay Gottlieb something 'special' in loss to UCLA

"We just wanted to ... make it about what we're capable of," Gottlieb said. And for a brief stretch at the start of the second half, she caught a glimpse of just that. Kara Dunn knocked down a three-pointer. Jazzy Davidson hit a fast-break lay-in and drew a foul. Then Dunn hit another three-pointer. In a matter of 31 seconds, USC had cut a seemingly insurmountable lead to single digits."

"Still, Gottlieb called that spurt "special," if only for the fact that it showed USC still has some life as it opens the postseason Wednesday against Washington in the Big Ten tournament. In a way, that has been the story of the season for USC. Doomed to play without their superstar, JuJu Watkins, the Trojans still managed to scratch and claw their way to a 17-12 record."

USC faced UCLA in a Big Ten matchup where the Trojans trailed significantly at halftime. Coach Lindsay Gottlieb sought evidence of her team's ability to compete in postseason play. Early in the second half, USC mounted a brief comeback, cutting UCLA's lead to single digits through three-pointers by Kara Dunn and a fast-break layup by Jazzy Davidson. However, UCLA's offensive firepower ultimately proved too strong, securing an 18-0 conference record. Despite the loss, Gottlieb viewed the second-half surge as encouraging, indicating USC retains competitive potential as the team enters the Big Ten tournament against Washington. The Trojans finished the regular season 17-12 while managing without star player JuJu Watkins.

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