USC Women's Basketball: Ailing Trojans Stay Perfect With Close Victory Against LBS

The Trojans got the win, even with three starters not able to suit up.

The USC Trojans are riding a good high right now, as the team took care of business against Long Beach State. The Women of Troy were down three starters but banded together to win 85-77. 

This victory was especially exciting as McKenzie Forbes posted a career-high 36 points to lead the Trojans to victory. 

Kenzie is really one of them ones.

A career-high 36 points for @Kenzie4bs today. pic.twitter.com/79d5KpTVTK

— USC Women's Basketball (@USCWBB) December 22, 2023

Juju Watlins, Rayah Marshall, and Kaitlyn Davis all had to sit out of the game and are considered as "day-to-day." 

Down three starters did not matter as Forbes erupted on the court. She was followed by Kayla Padilla, who posted a season-high 4 three-pointers, and a season-high 16 points. Taylor Bigby also pulled in 11 points of her own. 

2nd triple of the first quarter of KP 🎯

📺: ESPN+
📲: https://t.co/VoLla4zOKH pic.twitter.com/ERGkJMQI5F

— USC Women's Basketball (@USCWBB) December 21, 2023

The overall record for the Trojans and LBS is now at an even 28-28, with USC winning the past 12 meetings. 

The game against LBS also serves as the end of non-conference play with the Trojans going on a 10-0 undefeated streak. 

Their true test will come after the break, as USC will take on UCLA, who are also undefeated. The hope is that Watkins, Marshall, and Davis are all healed up by then. 

USC and UCLA will face off in the first Pac-12 match of the season when they play on December 30 at 5 p.m. PST.