Los Angeles, CA- Freshman sensation Jazzy Davidson came out hot, scoring the first seven points for USC and then teammate Kara Dunn caught a fire from behind the arc, which an upside for USC but the downside is they went down in the end to No. 12 Maryland, after putting together perhaps one of their best starts this season, to lose 62-55.
“I thought our team played their [bleep] off tonight…And just because you do
that doesn’t guarantee you an outcome, ”USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb said.
Kara Dunn wanted all the smoke to make turtle soup out of the Lady Terps’ defense, scoring all over the court, and making it rain from three, to lead both teams with game high 21 points.
“For me, when my number was called, it’s not something that I’m not
used to, Dunn said. “I’ve been in scoring positions on other teams as
well. So, just stepping up and being the player that I know that I can be. Knowing that Coach Lindsay trusts me for that and my team trusts me for that. I’ve enjoyed it.”
Such celebration of Dunn and Davidson displaying their elite scoring skills to give USC the lead in the first period, 20-16 against an elite defensive team was cut short though both teams began to struggle on offense.
“…credit Maryland, coach Gottlieb added. “I have so much respect for Brenda. You know, it’s just no matter what goes on with her team, and she’s had injuries, they always show up and are ready to play. And you know, credit to them for getting a big win on the road and we didn’t do enough to win the game… they made the big ones down the stretch.”
Yarden Garzon hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 2:38 remaining. Addi Mack led the Terrapins with 12 points and hit some clutch free throws. Garzon and Isimenme Ozzy-Momodu added 10 points apiece.
Both teams battling with team injuries and inexperienced key contributors to help sustain their teams through the competitiveness of Big 10.
USC’s Davidson finished with 12 points, after scoring 9 of her team’s 11 points plus assisted on the other bucket, yet went a dismal 0 for 14 in the second half.
“A lot of people are playing in positions that they haven’t played in before. We’re obviously still a brand new team. So I think everyone’s kind of growing into their roles and kind of getting more comfortable,” Malia Samuels said. “So I think
this is a rough patch, but I think I believe in our team and I know we’re going to be 10 times better than what we have been.”
Women of Troy (10-7, 2-4) still look to snap their losing streak after fourth straight loss. While the Terrapins (17-2, 5-2) are riding a four game win streak after a disappointing 89-76 loss to No. 19 Ohio State.
Both teams return to action on Sunday, with USC hosting Purdue while Maryland travels across town to face No. 3 UCLA