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USC Trojans Edge Out Baylor Bears in a Close Battle at Moda Center

The University of Southern California Trojans emerged victorious with a 74-70 scoreline against the Baylor Bears, improving their record to an impressive 3-0. The Bears now stand at 19-1 after this hard-fought contest.


Mar 30, 2024; Portland, OR, USA; USC Trojans center Rayah Marshall (13) battles for a rebound during the second half against Baylor Lady Bears guard Darianna Littlepage-Buggs (5) in the semifinals of the Portland Regional of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

The game was held at the Moda Center in Portland, where fans witnessed the Trojans and the Bears clash in what was a tightly contested match. The home team, USC, showcased their resilience and tactical acumen throughout the four quarters. They started strong with an 18-point opening quarter and maintained their momentum to secure a win with a decisive 21 points in the final quarter.


USC's performance was marked by efficient shooting from both inside and beyond the arc. They shot at a commendable 39 percent from field goals on 66 attempts and were particularly effective from the free-throw line, making 17 out of 21 shots for an impressive accuracy rate of 81 percent. Their prowess in scoring within paint was evident as they racked up a total of 34 points.


Mar 30, 2024; Portland, OR, USA; Baylor Lady Bears guard Jada Walker (11) drives to the basket during the first half against USC Trojans guard Kayla Williams (4) in the semifinals of the Portland Regional of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

Defensively, USC stood tall with seven blocks compared to Baylor's four and dominated on rebounds with a total of 41 against Baylor's substantial tally of 47. The defensive effort included securing more defensive rebounds than offensive ones, which helped maintain possession and control over the game flow.


On offense, USC made sure to capitalize on turnovers by scoring eight points off them while keeping their own turnovers limited to nine for the entire game. Their assist-to-turnover ratio stood at an acceptable level of approximately one point two-two (1.22), indicating that they managed ball movement effectively despite intense pressure from Baylor.


Mar 30, 2024; Portland, OR, USA; Baylor Lady Bears guard Yaya Felder (2) shoots a basket during the first half against USC Trojans forward Kaitlyn Davis (24) and center Clarice Akunwafo (34) in the semifinals of the Portland Regional of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

Baylor Bears put up quite a fight themselves; they managed to convert nine out of twenty-six three-point attempts resulting in thirty-five percent success rate from downtown. They also showed tenacity under pressure by scoring thirteen fast break points but fell short due to lower overall shooting percentages across various categories compared to USC.


As fans look forward to future games featuring these talented teams, it is clear that both squads have set high standards for competition this season. The next broadcast featuring University of Southern California will be eagerly anticipated as supporters hope for another display of skillful basketball that has become synonymous with Trojan games around this time – tip-off scheduled for shortly after nine o'clock Pacific Time Zone.

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