Los Angeles, CA- The No.6 USC (9-0) Trojans women’s basketball team showcased an outstanding performance in their 93-44 victory over visiting Cal State Fullerton(4-6) at the Galen Center. The Trojans set an all-time high by making 16 three-pointers during the game, highlighting their offensive prowess.
The women of Troy team faced some challenges as junior center Rayah Marshall and redshirt sophomore guard Dominique Darius were sidelined due to illness. Additionally, graduate forward Kaitlyn Davis was unavailable due to injury. In their absence, redshirt sophomore guard Taylor Bigby assumed a starting role in place of Davis.
Taylor Bigby played a key role in this record-setting performance, nailing a career-high five three-pointers. USC had five players in double digits, contributing to their commanding win and improving their overall record to an impressive 9-0.
“We always practice as if someone was out, like what would be your position, your role on the team,” Bigby said when speaking about stepping up when her number was called. “We knew we were down, so knew everyone was going to have to give more effort than what they normally give.”
In the opening quarter, USC knocked down four three-pointers on their 20-0 run. The Trojans led 20-5 at the end of the period.
In the second quarter, USC opened the quarter on a 13-0 run and outscored the Titans 30-15 in the period to take a 50-20 lead into the locker room.
Mckenzie Forbes led the Trojans with 13 points at the half. Taylor Bigby made four of her five three-pointers in the opening half.
USC shot 18 of 33 from the field for 54% and went 9-13 for a remarkable 69% from long distance.
Fullerton struggled to put the ball in the basketball, shooting 29% from the field and making 9-31 attempts in the first half.
Kayla Padilla nailed two of her three, three-pointers to help USC outscore the Titans for the third straight quarter.
In the closing quarter, Juju Watkins the second-leading scorer in women’s college basketball scored eight of her 23 points and nailed two three-pointers to help USC stretch their lead to the largest of the night with 51 points.
Juju Watkins finished with 23 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 blocked shots.
The Trojans shot 45% from the field for the half and shot 7-17 from three-pointer land for 41%.
USC finished the game with a 50% shooting percentage after making 33-66 attempts from the field. They also ended up shooting 53% from behind the arc setting a team record with 16.
“This team is worth watching, and I think people are figuring that out,” USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb said. “I loved how that ball moved and people stepped up.”
Fullerton concluded the game shooting 30% from the field making 18-59 attempts and went 4-21 from long distance for 19%.
Kathryn Neff led the Titans in scoring with 14 points on 6-12 shooting from the field. The Trojans will play Long Beach State on Thursday, December 21st. In their final tune-up as they prepare to take on the No.2 team in the country the UCLA Bruins at Paulley Pavilion.
