SAN FRANCISCO — Cal had No. 19 USC on the ropes for most of the night at Chase Center — then watched it slip in the final five minutes. The Golden Bears led deep into the second half and carried a 45–43 edge into the fourth, but USC finished stronger late to escape with a 61–57 win in the Invisalign Bay Area Women’s Classic.
Cal controlled the tone coming out of halftime, outscoring USC 17–12 in the third quarter and building a cushion that had the crowd believing an upset was right there. USC stayed within striking distance, then flipped the game in the fourth with an 18–12 closing quarter.
The swing moment came at 4:05 remaining. USC freshman Jazzy Davidson attacked in transition for the go-ahead layup to put the Trojans up 50–49, and USC followed with another basket to create separation. Cal still had chances — including a possession to tie late — but a turnover with 40 seconds left stalled the comeback, and USC did enough at the free-throw line to close it out.
Davidson finished with a season-high 24 points, with Kara Dunn adding 15 and Kennedy Smith 11 for USC.
For Cal, Sakima Walker led with a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double, while Lulu Twidale and Taylor Barnes scored 11 each. The Bears’ defense and effort kept them in front most of the way, but the offense went cold late — Cal hit just 1 three-pointer (1-for-11) for the game and shot 1-for-10 in the fourth quarter.
The crowd of 6,258 gave it a tournament feel, and Cal looked ready to turn it into a statement win — just couldn’t finish the last stretch. Cal dropped to 8–5 (0–1 ACC), while USC improved to 9–3 (1–0 Big Ten).
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