COLUMBIA, S.C. -- In a dramatic finish that had fans on the edge of their seats, ninth-seeded USC rallied in overtime to defeat eighth-seeded Clemson 71-67 on Saturday in the first round of the women's NCAA tournament. Freshman sensation Jazzy Davidson led the charge with a game-high 31 points, including a crucial go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:03 remaining in the extra period, propelling the Trojans into a second-round showdown with top-seeded South Carolina on Monday.
The game, played at the Colonial Life Arena here, unfolded like a classic March Madness thriller, complete with a controversial buzzer-beater review that kept USC's season alive. With the clock showing 4.4 seconds left in regulation and the score tied at 61-61, Clemson inbounded the ball, but officials later determined the shot clock had not properly reset. Mia Moore's apparent game-winner—a flipping running basket at the buzzer—sparked wild celebrations from the Tigers, who stormed the court believing they had advanced. But after a lengthy review, the basket was waved off, sending the contest into overtime.
USC players, initially dejected as they watched the replay from midcourt, were directed back to their bench by officials. When the decision was announced, the Trojans regrouped for the additional five minutes. "I mean, those are the things that happen in March," Davidson said afterward, reflecting on the overturned shot. "None of us want our season to be over, so it was a little crushing to see that, but when we found out we were going into overtime, just mental reset. We all came back together."
Kara Dunn, who contributed 22 points to the Trojans' effort, played a key role in motivating her teammates during the tense moments. "We said, 'You don't get second chances in life,' so we took advantage," Dunn remarked, emphasizing the team's resilience. The 6-foot-1 Davidson, making her NCAA tournament debut, was unstoppable in overtime. She entered the game leading USC in scoring at 17.6 points per contest and played all 45 minutes, finishing just one point shy of her career high.
Clemson had seized a 64-61 lead with 2:34 left in overtime, but Davidson quickly responded. She drained a 3-pointer to tie the score, and on the ensuing possession, after missing a shot herself, Malia Samuels grabbed the offensive rebound and fed it back to Davidson for the go-ahead basket. That sequence shifted the momentum decisively in USC's favor, as the freshman guard showcased her poise under pressure.
The Tigers clawed back late, with Morgan Lee hitting a 3-pointer to pull Clemson within 70-67 with nine seconds remaining. But Samuels sealed the victory at the free-throw line, converting one of two attempts to provide the final margin. Taylor Johnson-Matthews paced Clemson with 16 points, while Raven Thompson notched a double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds in a gritty performance.
For Clemson, the loss was a heartbreaking end to a promising tournament return. The Tigers, under second-year coach Shawn Poppie, were making their first NCAA appearance since 2019, when they last advanced to the second round. Poppie, visibly stunned by the outcome, praised his team's fight despite the defeat. "Unfortunately, today, I thought Southern Cal was one possession or 0.1 second better than us," he said, acknowledging the razor-thin margin that separated the squads.
USC's path to this point has been marked by adversity. The Trojans entered the tournament with an 18-13 record, having navigated the entire season without their star player, JuJu Watkins, who is sidelined recovering from a torn ACL suffered during last year's NCAA tournament. Despite the absence, USC has reached the Elite Eight in each of the past two seasons, demonstrating depth and determination. This victory marks their continuation of that postseason success, even as underdogs against the powerhouse Gamecocks.
The overturned buzzer-beater became the defining moment, drawing comparisons to some of the tournament's most memorable officiating calls. According to reports from the scene, the review process took several minutes, with players from both teams huddled near their benches. Clemson's celebration was short-lived, as referees conferred with the replay center to ensure the shot clock violation was correctly identified. Such reviews are standard in high-stakes games, but this one carried extra weight, extending what could have been a season-ending defeat for USC.
Davidson's performance was the talk of the postgame press conference. The freshman, who hails from a basketball family and was a highly touted recruit, exceeded expectations in her tournament debut. Her 31 points came on efficient shooting, including multiple 3-pointers that stretched Clemson's defense. Teammates credited her leadership in the overtime surge, with Dunn noting how Davidson's energy lifted the entire squad during critical possessions.
Clemson's effort was commendable, especially considering their program's recent history. The Tigers had endured a rebuild under Poppie, who took over in 2022 and instilled a culture of toughness. This tournament berth was a testament to their progress, with Thompson's rebounding and Johnson-Matthews' scoring providing sparks throughout. Yet, the fine details—turnovers in overtime and defensive lapses on Davidson—proved costly.
Looking ahead, USC faces a familiar foe in South Carolina. The Gamecocks, who dominated the Trojans 69-52 in a November matchup in Los Angeles, enter the second round as heavy favorites. That earlier game highlighted South Carolina's defensive prowess and depth, led by stars like Kamilla Cardoso and Te-Hina Paopao. For USC, this rematch offers a chance at redemption, though coach Lindsay Gottlieb has emphasized focusing on one game at a time.
The broader context of the women's NCAA tournament underscores the growing parity and excitement in the sport. With upsets abound in the first round, including several double-digit seeds advancing, USC's survival fits the narrative of unpredictability. Clemson's run, though cut short, signals their emergence as a contender in the ACC, where they finished strong this season.
As the Trojans prepare for Monday's tilt, the echoes of Saturday's wild finish will linger. Davidson's heroics and the team's mental fortitude have them believing in another deep run. For Clemson, the offseason brings reflection on what might have been, but Poppie's pride in his players remains unwavering. In March, as Davidson aptly put it, anything can happen—and on this day in Columbia, it did.
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