Star freshman Jazzy Davidson gives USC a scare as

Through a stellar debut season, freshman Jazzy Davidson had accomplished every little thing for USC that was requested of her. At just 18, she led the Trojans in scoring, in rebounds, in blocks, in steals. She was their best defender, their best scorer. She even gained Big Ten freshman of the week six instances.

Her star flip in her first collegiate season had stored USC afloat through an in any other case uneven marketing campaign, finally serving to flip the Trojans’ trajectory upward over the last two weeks, as USC gained 5 in a row heading into Thursday evening.

Another victory was properly in hand, due in large half to another stellar evening from Davidson, when with 2:42 remaining, the freshman took one awkward step and immediately grabbed her leg in pain.

Davidson would have to be carried by her teammates and coaches to the bench, where her face contorted in pain as trainers examined her. Eventually, the freshman had to be carried to the USC locker room.

USC would secure a 66-59 victory over Wisconsin a few minutes later. But the image of Davidson being carried off the ground late was a chilling reminder of how shortly issues can change — and how a lot the Trojans need their star freshman.

Davidson had just turned in one of her most spectacular all-around performances of the season, pouring in 24 factors, 5 rebounds, six assists, 4 steals and three blocks. Per standard, she was the Trojans’ most constant kind of offense.

Outside of Davidson, the Trojans shot just 32.6%. Kara Dunn was the only other USC participant in double figures, having scored 14 factors.

Just three video games are left for USC (17-9, 9-6 in the Big Ten) in the common season, two of which come against top-10 groups. And while their place in the NCAA event is presumably protected heading into that remaining stretch, where they’re seeded might swing considerably with a few high quality wins.

Whether that issues relies upon largely on how critical Davidson’s injury seems to be.

Neither staff might summon a lot offense early, trading bricks back and forth for most of Thursday’s opening body. USC opened one of 12. Wisconsin (13-14, 5-11) opened two of 14 and turned the ball over six instances in the first quarter alone.

The Trojans ultimately settled in on offense, but their stifling protection would cleared the path throughout. Wisconsin would go to halftime with just 9 made subject objectives, equal to its complete first-half turnovers, as USC clamped down, clogging the paint and flashing the defensive prowess that, when at its best, has been a calling card this season.

Even still, Wisconsin would fire its method back into Thursday evening’s matchup by method of the three-point line. At one level the Badgers hit three in a row to cut the Trojans’ lead to six.

They wouldn’t get any nearer, on account of USC’s star freshman, who personally staved off any critical menace of a Badger comeback.

But none of that would matter in the ultimate minutes, as USC left the ground with its sixth straight victory, but also probably its most painful loss of the season.