23-03-2025
USC makes history with defensive performance vs UNC Greensboro
USC makes history with defensive performance vs UNC Greensboro USC's defense limited UNCG to 13-percent field goal shooting for an entire game.
On Saturday afternoon, USC women's basketball destroyed USC Greensboro 71-25 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. With the victory, the Trojans advance to play Mississippi State in the second round on Monday night.
It was a historic defensive performance by USC. According to Big Ten Network researcher Greg Mroz, the 25 points were the fewest allowed in program history. It was also tied for the second fewest points allowed in NCAA Tournament history.
Per Mroz, the Trojans also set several other defensive records on Saturday. UNC Greensboro's seven made field goals were a new record for fewest in NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament history. UNCG finished 7 of 54 from the field. The Spartans' 13% field goal rate is also an NCAA Tournament record.
It was a masterful performance by Beth Burns and the USC defense. As we wrote earlier, however the Trojans will need to be better on offense moving forward. 71 points was more than enough to defeat an overmatched UNC Greensboro squad, but it likely won't get the job done against elite opponents such as UConn or UCLA. If Lindsay Gottlieb's squad is serious about competing for a national title this season, then they will need to be better on the offensive end moving forward.
