INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Washington Huskies women’s basketball came to Day 2 of the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament with a mission — and a little revenge on their minds. Behind a dominant second quarter and a huge night from senior Elle Ladine and former USC Trojans women’s basketball guard Avery Howell, Washington pulled away for a 76–64 win over USC at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The Huskies now move on to face UCLA Bruins women’s basketball as the tournament rolls on in Indianapolis.
Washington set the tone early by attacking the paint, scoring six of its first eight points inside. USC’s defense kept things tight early, turning pressure into offense with four points off turnovers. Still, neither team could fully find a rhythm, and the opening quarter ended locked at 8–8.
Freshman guard Jazzy Davidson — the Big Ten Freshman of the Year — flashed her scoring ability early with a quick bucket out of a timeout. But there was a brief scare for the Trojans when Davidson headed to the locker room with under five minutes remaining in the first quarter. The freshman returned just minutes later and checked back into the game.
Washington’s Avery Howell led the Huskies early with five points against her former team.
Then the second quarter hit — and Washington flipped the switch.
The Huskies strung together hustle plays and went on a 9–0 run that stretched the lead before Davidson stopped the bleeding at the free-throw line. She drew a foul on a three-point attempt and knocked down two of three, cutting the deficit to 19–12.
But Washington wasn’t cooling off.
Ladine caught fire, drilling a three as part of a huge offensive surge. USC answered with a three from Kara Dunn, but the Trojans struggled to generate consistent offense, going several minutes without a field goal.
Meanwhile, Ladine kept cooking.
Dayana Mendes later hit a three for USC to trim the deficit to ten, and the Trojans found energy on the defensive end with a big block from Mendes that had injured star JuJu Watkins up on the sideline cheering.
Still, the final word of the half belonged to Washington.
With just 0.1 seconds left, Ladine scored off an inbound play to cap a massive quarter. She poured in 13 of Washington’s 24 second-quarter points, sending the Huskies into halftime with a 12-point lead and serious momentum. The performance carried extra edge — Washington was still remembering a 59–50 loss to USC back in December.
The second half kept the pressure on.
Howell — once a Trojan herself — drilled a three early in the third quarter to reach 15 points, continuing a breakout season where she’s become one of the Big Ten’s most reliable players in her new role with Washington.
When USC tried to make a push, Washington answered every time.
After another Ladine three, Mendes tried to ignite the Trojans with a three of her own. But every hint of a USC run was quickly shut down as the Huskies maintained control. Washington closed the third quarter with another basket to stretch the lead to 20 points heading into the fourth.
The final quarter brought more offense from deep. Howell added another three while both teams started filling it up from beyond the arc.
Kennedy Smith worked hard to keep USC within striking distance, attacking late as the Trojans applied a full-court press that trimmed the deficit slightly in the closing minutes.
But the damage from Washington’s earlier surge was too much to overcome.
Howell and Ladine combined for 43 points, powering the Huskies to the 76–64 victory. Smith finished with 14 points for USC while London Jones led the Trojans with 17.
Washington moves on — and with this kind of momentum, the Huskies look ready for whatever comes next in Indianapolis.