The Galen Center’s crowd palpably buzzed as JuJu Watkins collected the opening tip-off.
It was a sign of USC women’s basketball coach Lindsay Gottlieb’s program-rebuilding success, turning the Trojans back into a national championship contender — a sign of growing support and interest.
But No. 6 Notre Dame was able to dissipate the Galen Center buzz, stifling No. 3 USC in a 74-61 win.
Advertisement
The Trojans, who entered the game averaging 98.3 points per game on its home court, albeit against unranked squads, shot just 35.