Northwestern University Athletics
Thursday, February 5
Evanston, Ill.
8 p.m. CT
Northwestern
vs
USC
Photo by: Ryan Kuttler/Northwestern Athletics
‘Cats Open Homestand Against USC Thursday On BTN
2/4/2026 4:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Wildcats, Trojans set to meet for the first time since 1990-91 season
EVANSTON, Ill. (February 4, 2026) – After playing three of its last four games on the road, Northwestern (8-14, 2-9 B1G) returns to Welsh-Ryan Arena on Thursday evening to host USC. The 8 p.m. CT tip-off, which begins a two-game homestand for the 'Cats, will be televised on Big Ten Network, with Mike Hall (play-by-play) and Shimmy Miller (analyst) on the call.
Thursday's matchup with the Trojans will also serve as a celebration of National Girls & Women's in Sports Day. More information, including a link to register for Stronger Together: Celebrating Our Women's Sports: Elevate, Inspire, Celebrate, can be accessed here.
LAST TIME OUT
Northwestern put together a furious second-half comeback, but saw time run out on its rally in an 89-75 setback at Indiana last Sunday at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind.
For the fourth time this season, Grace Sullivan reached the 30-point mark, pouring in a game-high 35 points, in addition to ripping down seven rebounds. Sullivan, who played all 40 minutes for the first time in 2025-26, is averaging 22.4 points across the Wildcats' last five contests. Sullivan's 35 points, a total just two shy of her career high, tied for the ninth most points in a single game in program history.
Caroline Lau reached double figures in scoring for the fifth time in six games, as she stuffed the stat sheet with 10 points, six rebounds, eight assists, and a career-high five steals. Currently the national leader in assists (8.8 apg), Lau is putting up just shy of 11 points per game in her last six outings. DaiJa Turner came off the bench to provide Northwestern with a spark in 22 minutes of game action, finishing with seven points, three rebounds, an assist, and a block.
SCOUTING USC
USC (13-9, 5-6 B1G) arrives in Evanston fresh off back-to-back wins at home. Piloted by reigning Big Ten Coach of the Year Lindsay Gottlieb, the Trojans stunned No. 8 Iowa, 81-69, last Thursday before rolling past Rutgers, 71-39, three days later.
USC boasts one of the Big Ten's stingiest defenses, allowing only 59.3 points per game, good enough for third on the league leaderboard in the category. The Trojans lead the conference in blocks per game (6.0) and three-point field goal percentage defense (26.6%).
On the offensive end of the floor, Gottlieb's team is led by the pairing of Jazzy Davidson and Kara Dunn.
Davidson has quickly established herself as one of the Big Ten's top freshmen, averaging a team-high 16.2 points across 22 appearances, all of which have come in a starting role. Davidson has scored in double figures in all but one game this season. A transfer from Georgia Tech, where she earned First Team All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) honors last season, Dunn (15.9 ppg) has been on a tear of late, surpassing the 20-point mark in seven of USC's last eight games.
SERIES STUFF
Northwestern and USC will battle for only the fourth time in Thursday's nationally televised clash. The Trojans have prevailed in two of their previous three meetings with the Wildcats.
Thursday will mark the first meeting between Northwestern and USC since December 1, 1990, a 70-63 Wildcat victory inside Welsh-Ryan Arena.
UP NEXT
Northwestern will be idle for a week before it welcomes No. 8 Michigan to Welsh-Ryan Arena on Thursday, February 12 for an 8 p.m. CT tilt that will air on Peacock.
Thursday's matchup with the Trojans will also serve as a celebration of National Girls & Women's in Sports Day. More information, including a link to register for Stronger Together: Celebrating Our Women's Sports: Elevate, Inspire, Celebrate, can be accessed here.
LAST TIME OUT
Northwestern put together a furious second-half comeback, but saw time run out on its rally in an 89-75 setback at Indiana last Sunday at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind.
For the fourth time this season, Grace Sullivan reached the 30-point mark, pouring in a game-high 35 points, in addition to ripping down seven rebounds. Sullivan, who played all 40 minutes for the first time in 2025-26, is averaging 22.4 points across the Wildcats' last five contests. Sullivan's 35 points, a total just two shy of her career high, tied for the ninth most points in a single game in program history.
Caroline Lau reached double figures in scoring for the fifth time in six games, as she stuffed the stat sheet with 10 points, six rebounds, eight assists, and a career-high five steals. Currently the national leader in assists (8.8 apg), Lau is putting up just shy of 11 points per game in her last six outings. DaiJa Turner came off the bench to provide Northwestern with a spark in 22 minutes of game action, finishing with seven points, three rebounds, an assist, and a block.
SCOUTING USC
USC (13-9, 5-6 B1G) arrives in Evanston fresh off back-to-back wins at home. Piloted by reigning Big Ten Coach of the Year Lindsay Gottlieb, the Trojans stunned No. 8 Iowa, 81-69, last Thursday before rolling past Rutgers, 71-39, three days later.
USC boasts one of the Big Ten's stingiest defenses, allowing only 59.3 points per game, good enough for third on the league leaderboard in the category. The Trojans lead the conference in blocks per game (6.0) and three-point field goal percentage defense (26.6%).
On the offensive end of the floor, Gottlieb's team is led by the pairing of Jazzy Davidson and Kara Dunn.
Davidson has quickly established herself as one of the Big Ten's top freshmen, averaging a team-high 16.2 points across 22 appearances, all of which have come in a starting role. Davidson has scored in double figures in all but one game this season. A transfer from Georgia Tech, where she earned First Team All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) honors last season, Dunn (15.9 ppg) has been on a tear of late, surpassing the 20-point mark in seven of USC's last eight games.
SERIES STUFF
Northwestern and USC will battle for only the fourth time in Thursday's nationally televised clash. The Trojans have prevailed in two of their previous three meetings with the Wildcats.
Thursday will mark the first meeting between Northwestern and USC since December 1, 1990, a 70-63 Wildcat victory inside Welsh-Ryan Arena.
UP NEXT
Northwestern will be idle for a week before it welcomes No. 8 Michigan to Welsh-Ryan Arena on Thursday, February 12 for an 8 p.m. CT tilt that will air on Peacock.
Players Mentioned
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