No. 2 UCLA rolls past USC to close regular season

LOS ANGELES — The music was loud, the crowd was ready and the stage was set inside the Galen Center on Sunday afternoon. But from the opening tip, the crosstown rivalry belonged to the No. 2 UCLA Bruins.

The USC Trojans never led once in a 73-50 loss, falling flat early and never fully recovering as UCLA dominated from start to finish in front of 8,841 fans.

For USC, it was a frustrating way to close the regular season.

Paige Creason - The Sporting Tribune

UCLA Bruins guard Kiki Rice (1) with the ball during the women's college basketball game against the USC Trojans, Sunday March 1st, 2026 at Galen Center in Los Angeles, Calif.

A First-Half Hole Too Deep

The Trojans came out uncharacteristically stagnant, committing 10 first-half turnovers and shooting just 1 of 6 from beyond the arc. Offensive possessions were rushed, spacing was tight and UCLA’s length immediately disrupted any rhythm.

By halftime, USC trailed 38-20.

Against the second-ranked team in the country, that margin felt even larger. The Bruins led by as many as 29 points, owning the glass and the paint while dictating tempo. USC simply could not generate clean looks or second chances — two staples that have fueled this team throughout the season.

A Flicker of Fight

To their credit, the Trojans responded after the break. USC opened the second half on an 11-2 run, forcing UCLA to burn a timeout as the Galen Center crowd tried to will a comeback into existence. For a few minutes, there was life. Defensive pressure tightened. Shots started to fall.

But every push was met with poise from UCLA. The Bruins’ interior presence steadied them, and the Trojans never got the deficit into striking distance.

Paige Creason - The Sporting Tribune

USC Trojans guard Jazzy Davidson (9) with the ball during the women's college basketball game against the UCLA Bruins, Sunday March 1st, 2026 at Galen Center in Los Angeles, Calif.

Freshman Jazzy Davidson led USC with 12 points, while Kennedy Smith added 11. They were the only two Trojans in double figures.

Davidson shot 3 of 10 from the field in the second half and went 0 for 4 from beyond the arc, hounded by UCLA defenders who made every touch difficult.

“If we said best freshman in the country, it wouldn’t be enough,” head coach Lindsay Gottlieb said. “She’s one of the best players in the country.

“Her mentality above all else, she’s a competitor. She wants to win. She wants to do whatever it takes. She doesn’t tap out at anything. She’s had an incredible freshman year and we’re still only tapping into what we have.”

Smith chipped in two rebounds and two assists but also had four turnovers, emblematic of a tough afternoon for the Trojan backcourt.

Bruins Control the Paint — and the Boards

It was a clinic in physicality from UCLA.

Lauren Betts anchored the interior with 15 rebounds — nine of them offensive — helping the Bruins dominate the rebounding battle 47-22. UCLA grabbed 22 offensive boards, repeatedly extending possessions and draining the clock.

The Bruins scored 32 points in the paint compared to USC’s 20. Even when Betts was doubled, she calmly kicked out to open shooters, fueling a balanced attack that shot 9 of 23 from three-point range.

Meanwhile, USC struggled from deep, going just 3 of 19.

Charlisse Leger-Walker led UCLA with 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting, including 4 of 7 from beyond the arc. Gabriela Jaquez added 14 points and eight rebounds, Kiki Rice had 11 points and four assists, and Gia Kneepkens contributed 14 points and five assists.

“Box out, box out,” Gottlieb said afterward, pointing directly to the 22 offensive rebounds allowed. In a rivalry game against an elite opponent, that margin was decisive.

A Senior Night With Layers

Paige Creason - The Sporting Tribune

USC Trojans guard Londynn Jones (3) runs on to the court during the women's college basketball game against the UCLA Bruins, Sunday March 1st, 2026 at Galen Center in Los Angeles, Calif.

The afternoon carried added emotion for Londynn Jones, who played her final regular-season game at the Galen Center — against her former team.

Jones, a former Bruin, finished with nine points and three assists in 25 minutes. There was friendly fire throughout, but also clear mutual respect.

“I’ve known Londynn since she was 12-13 years old,” Gottlieb said. “I played a voicemail that she left on the day that I took the Cavs job and she was in eighth grade, saying, ‘Don’t forget about me.’”

Gottlieb didn’t forget. After leaving UCLA and eventually bringing Jones into the USC program, their connection became a key part of the Trojans’ backcourt stability this season — particularly with Juju Watkins sidelined while recovering from a knee injury.

On the other bench, UCLA head coach Cori Close shared her own admiration.

“I love Londynn Jones,” Close said. “We of course think she looks better in blue.”

Gottlieb also reflected on a unique senior night that included Jones and Kara Dunn — both one-year seniors.

“I’ve never had a senior night where the only seniors are one-years,” Gottlieb said. “And it has never felt temporary for one second.”

March Awaits

USC closes the regular season at 17-12 overall and 9-9 in Big Ten play, an up-and-down run through the conference. Now, the focus shifts forward. The Trojans will play Washington to start in the Big Ten Tournament.

“We are really invested in this season and what we can do,” Gottlieb said.

Despite Sunday’s humbling loss, that belief hasn’t wavered.

“I still believe our team has one more level we can get to,” she said. “I hope we see that in Indy next week and see it in the NCAA Tournament. We don’t get to host, right? It’s going to be sad we don’t get to see these fans — but we can ruin someone else’s party on their home floor.”

Sunday was UCLA’s day. The Bruins remained undefeated in conference play and looked every bit the part of a national contender. But for USC, the season isn’t over. And if there’s one thing this group has shown, it’s that it doesn’t tap out — no matter the deficit, no matter the stage.