USC women’s basketball takes down Clemson in NCAA Tournament thriller

On Saturday, the USC women’s basketball team defeated Clemson 71-67 in overtime in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

With the victory, the Trojans advanced to the second round of the tournament for the third consecutive year.

Let’s take a look back at the thrilling game and its wild ending.

A back-and-forth battle

The game as a whole was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams going on runs, but neither able to sustain a lead.

It was clear that USC and Clemson matched up with each other fairly evenly.

Both teams played strong defense, leading to a low-scoring affair.

Missed opportunities

In the final minute of regulation, both teams had the ball with an opportunity to take the lead.

As was the theme throughout the day, however, defense prevailed, as both sides turned the ball over without even getting a shot off.

The buzzer-beater that wasn’t

At the very end of regulation, Clemson’s Mia Moore hit what appeared to be a buzzer-beating three-pointer to win the game.

However, video review determined that Moore did not get the shot off until after the clock hit zero.

Hence, USC got a second chance, and the two teams went to overtime.

Coming up clutch

The extra period was once again heavy on defense.

Ultimately, however, the Trojans came up clutch when they needed to, with Jazzy Davidson hitting two massive three-point shots to give them the lead.

USC was then able to clinch the game at the free throw line, somehow emerging with a 71-67 victory.

Survive and advance

It was not easy, but the Trojans are headed to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the third year in a row.

Up next is a date with No.

1 seed South Carolina on Monday night.

Lindsay Gottlieb’s team will be a heavy underdog in that game.

Can USC pull off a shocker?