USC Women’s Basketball Defeats Florida Gulf Coast, 67-51

University of Southern California News

November 10, 2023

LOS ANGELES, Calif.

The 21st-ranked USC women’s basketball team defeated Florida Gulf Coast, 67-51, Friday night at the Galen Center. The Trojans were led by Raya Marshall and Juju Watkins, who each scored 18 points.

USC trailed by nine points in the first half, but led 33-19 at halftime. The Trojans’ defense forced FGCU into four offensive time violations in the first half, while the Eagles shot 29 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes.

FGCU extended its lead to five points early in the third quarter, but USC steadily pushed forward and carried a 20-point lead into the fourth quarter. At the final whistle, USC shot 45 percent from the field over the Eagles’ 32.1 percent shooting to pick up its second win of the season.FGCU won the rebounding battle, 39-34, but USC dished out 18 assists and 10 steals to keep the momentum in USC’s favor.

Watkins now has 50 points in USC’s first two games, matching Trojan standout Cheryl Miller’s first game as a freshman.