UPDATE: In a thrilling showdown at the Chase Center, the Cal Bears fell just short against the No. 19 USC Trojans in a tightly contested 61-57 loss on Sunday night. Freshman standout Jazzy Davidson led the charge for USC, scoring an impressive 24 points, proving to be the decisive factor in the game.
Despite Cal’s commendable effort, they struggled to contain Davidson, especially in the critical moments of the game. Sakima Walker contributed significantly for Cal, finishing with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Taylor Barnes also added 13 points and Lulu Twidale chipped in with 11 points.
The game was a roller coaster, with Cal trailing by just three points at halftime. As the third quarter began, the Bears erupted with a 7-0 run, seizing a three-point lead and forcing USC’s coach Lindsay Gottlieb to call a crucial timeout. Cal managed to limit Davidson to only three points during the third quarter, allowing them to establish a lead that grew to as much as nine points.
However, USC rallied back late in the third, closing the gap with a 10-3 run. The momentum shifted in the fourth quarter, where the Trojans regained the lead with under 90 seconds remaining thanks to a jumper from Kara Dunn. Cal fought back, with Gisella Maul hitting two free throws to cut the deficit to just two points at the 1:15 mark.
A critical turnover from Cal, coupled with a missed free throw by Walker, sealed their fate. USC capitalized on the pressure, hitting every clutch shot at the line to secure the victory.
Cal demonstrated resilience throughout the match, shooting 41% from the field and effectively limiting USC’s secondary scoring options in the first half. Davidson’s scoring prowess was evident, as she netted 14 points in the first two quarters, but no other USC player exceeded seven points during that time.
USC capitalized on Cal’s 11 turnovers, converting them into nine points, which played a crucial role in their halftime lead of 31-28.
As the season progresses, Cal will look to rebound when they host Cal Poly next Sunday. The Bears will aim to build on their competitive spirit displayed against USC and find solutions to close out games with victories.
Stay tuned for further updates from the world of women’s basketball as the competition heats up!
