No. 8 USC Women’s Basketball Falls to No. 2 South Carolina 69-52

Summary

No. 8 USC women's basketball was defeated by No. 2 South Carolina, 69-52, in a game billed as “The Real SC” at Crypto.com Arena. USC led briefly in the second quarter and trailed by two at halftime, but South Carolina’s size, rebounding, and a strong third quarter stretched the lead.

Game details

Location: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles
Date: November 15, 2025
Final score: USC 52, South Carolina 69

SC vs USC key moments

South Carolina opened the game with a 9–2 run after winning the opening tip, capitalizing on early USC turnovers. USC’s first points came on a Kennedy Smith turnaround jumper, followed by a Kara Dunn three and mid-range buckets to steady the offense.

Team performances

USC:

Leading scorer: Kennedy Smith with 12 points
Top scorer: Kara Dunn with 10 points
Off the bench: Vivian Iwuchukwu added seven points and three rebounds
Shooting: 32.8% from the field; 1-for-14 from three
Rebounding: USC was out-boarded 56–32

South Carolina:

Balanced attack with multiple players in double figures
Dominant interior presence and 44 points in the paint
Strong third quarter, extending the lead to as many as 17

Notable moments and stats

South Carolina dominated the third quarter with a 23–15 edge, supported by relentless offensive rebounds and interior scoring. USC managed only seven points in the fourth quarter and shot 1-of-14 from three for the game.

Context

Prevailing factors included South Carolina’s rebounding edge and interior scoring pressure, which ultimately decided the game despite USC’s competitive first half.

Author’s note

Author’s summary: This report preserves the game’s core facts and notable performances, reflecting USC’s competitiveness while acknowledging South Carolina’s decisive third-quarter run and rebounding dominance.

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USC Athletics — 2025-11-16