USC women finding a rhythm despite challenging schedule

It’s 20 games into the season, and the USC women’s basketball team is starting to flow together in some of the harshest of circumstances.

“I know the record’s not showing it right now,” Trojans head coach Lindsay Gottlieb told reporters after narrowly falling to No. 13 Michigan State. “We’re obviously in a tough stretch of really difficult opponents, but I think there’s a rhythm developing with people being comfortable with one another.”

The Trojans (11-9 overall, 3-6 Big Ten) survived a road trip that brought them to Michigan State and then-No. 7 Michigan, which beat them 73-67. They’ll get another test when they return to Galen Center on Thursday, when No. 8 Iowa comes to the West Coast.

The Hawkeyes (18-2, 9-0) will be without starting guard Taylor McCabe, who suffered a season-ending ACL tear in her left leg during Iowa’s 91-70 win over No. 11 Ohio State. McCabe, a senior, had started in all 20 games and was contributing 8.1 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.

Head coach Jan Jensen called on 6-foot freshman Addie Deal to take McCabe’s place at guard. The Mater Dei alumna scored a season-high 20 points and dished out five assists against the Buckeyes.

“When that situation (with McCabe) happened, the team just rallied,” Jensen told reporters after the game. “And we just gave it about five seconds. I said, ‘Listen: Taylor’s probably not coming back in this game. This is why we’ve been deep. Addie’s ready to go.’ And I called a play, and we just went on.”

USC found its own boost against Michigan, using its press to add 31 points in the third quarter to take a 58-53 lead over the Wolverines. However, the Trojans couldn’t sustain enough momentum to close out the game.

Another improvement was freshman guard Jazzy Davidson’s ability to draw fouls. After going to the free-throw only four times against Michigan State, Davidson had seven free-throw attempts against Michigan, which was the most she collected since the Nov. 28 game against Pepperdine.

“When I watch the game back, I probably would want to draw a one in front of that seven,” Gottlieb joked after the Michigan State game. “She’s put so much pressure on the defense.”

Kennedy Smith is continuing to work her way back after missing three games due to a lower leg injury. The sophomore guard from Etiwanda High committed eight turnovers against Michigan while recording five points, three steals and four assists.

USC turned the ball over 21 times in the loss while only forcing Michigan to commit 12 turnovers.

Smith is still the fourth-leading scorer on the team, and it’s senior guard Kara Dunn who continues to take the lead in that department since the Trojans haven’t had JuJu Watkins’ hot hand all season as she recovers from a torn ACL.

The Georgia Tech transfer has scored at least 20 points in six consecutive games after putting up 26 against Michigan. Her 10 rebounds against the Wolverines marked her first double-double of the season.

“I think she wanted to come play for us because there’s creativity on offense and getting her in different spots,” Gottlieb said. “Sometimes that takes an adjustment period, and she didn’t spend one moment lamenting. She just worked, and now she’s really caught a rhythm.”

IOWA (18-2 overall, 9-0 Big Ten) at USC (11-9, 3-6)

When: 6 p.m. Thursday

Where: Galen Center

TV/Radio: Peacock/ESPN LA 710