Six 3-Pointers From Destiny Littleton Helps USC Women’s Basketball Knock Down No. 25 Colorado

BOULDER, COLO. — The USC women's basketball team knocked off a second ranked opponent in taking down No. 25 Colorado on a hot-shooting effort despite the cold temperatures outdoors, beating the Buffaloes 71-54 today in Boulder, Colo. USC's Destiny Littleton had a career day in hitting six 3-pointers — second most in a single game by a Trojan — to help put Colorado on its heels as USC pushed its way to victory with a strong second half. USC improves to 16-5 overall and to 6-4 in Pac-12 play with the road win. Colorado is now 16-5, 7-3.

The Trojans would close out the first and second quarters with scoring rallies that helped USC lead it 26-22 at the break. USC had heated up from a sluggish start to shoot 37.9 percent in the first half, while Colorado cooled a bit and was at 34.5 percent by halftime. The Trojans had the edge on the boards 20-19, with Kadi Sissoko leading the way with eight first-half rebounds for USC. The Trojans turned it up a couple notches in the second half, with Destiny Littleton nailing four 3-pointers in the third quarter to get USC in position. USC wrapped the game shooting 44.8 percent overall on a 47-percent effort from 3-point range. Colorado finished up at 40.4 decent overall, and was even on the board with the Trojans at 36 apiece.

Littleton's season-high 21 points led the way for USC, who also received double-doubles from Rayah Marshall (19 points, 10 rebounds) and Kadi Sissoko (18 points, 12 rebounds). Colorado was paced by Aaronette Vonleh's 16 points and 13 from Quay Miller.

Rayah Marshall tallied USC's first four points of the day before CU managed back-to-back buckets to creep ahead 9-4 at the 4:11 mark of the first. That seemed to shake the Trojans into action, as USC fired off an 8-0 run with Alyson Miura and Destiny Littleton burying threes around a bucket from Kadi Sissoko to lead it 14-9 by the end of the first. The Buffs battled back with a 6-0 surge to sneak back ahead before a three-point play converted by Rayah Marshall got USC back on top, 17-15 at 6:35. The teams traded small surges next, with Colorado going up 21-17 and then USC wrapping the half on a 9-1 run. Another 3-pointer from Littleton sparked the Trojan push to the buzzer, knotting it at 22-22 before Marshall and Sissoko knocked down baskets to lift USC ahead 26-22 for halftime. 

Littleton's hot hand delivered a trio of 3-pointers in just under four minutes, including back-to-back blasts to build out a 41-27 USC advantage in the third. She'd save her career-high sixth three for the final minute of the third, and USC would lead it 52-41 entering the fourth. The Trojans converted on a pair of three-point plays from Marshall and Sissoko to kick of the fourth and establish the Trojans' position, up 58-41. USC stayed the course, standing tall from the free-throw line in the final stretch to wrap up the 71-54 victory. 

NEXT: 
USC returns home to Galen Center next, setting up to host Arizona State at 7 p.m. on Friday (Feb. 3) and then taking on Arizona at 12 p.m. on Sunday (Feb. 5) for more Pac-12 action.

NOTABLE:
- Colorado's nine points scored in the first quarter marked the 17th time this season that USC has allowed fewer than 10 points in a quarter.

- GS Destiny Littleton made a career-high six 3-pointers — second most ever by a Trojan (last: 2020)
- With a season-high 21 points, Littleton scored in double digits for a team-leading 16th time this season.
- With two blocks, SO Rayah Marshall has recorded at least one block in 42 consecutive games played.
- With 19 points and 10 rebounds, Marshall recorded her 17th career double-double and 11th this season.
- With 18 points and 12 rebounds, GS Kadi Sissoko recorded her third double-double of the season.
- USC's win over No. 25 Colorado marks the second top-25 victory for theTrojans this season (last: def. No. 2 Stanford, Jan. 15)
- USC's nine 3-pointers made marked the most against a Pac-12 opponent this season.