COLUMBIA, S.C. (Interstat) — In a taut, back-and-forth NCAA Tournament battle defined by resilience and a singular superstar performance, the Southern California Women of Troy outlasted the Clemson Lady Tigers 71-67 in overtime on Saturday at Carolina Coliseum.

A season-high crowd of 10,483 witnessed a game that lived up to its postseason billing, featuring 11 ties and 13 lead changes. The victory, secured in the extra period, pushed Southern California’s record to 18-13 and advanced the Women of Troy in the tournament. Clemson’s season ended with a 21-12 mark.

The narrative of the game was overwhelmingly written by Southern California sophomore guard Jazzy Davidson. The 6-foot-1 standout from Clackamas, Oregon, delivered a monumental performance, pouring in 31 points while adding five assists, a block and a steal in 45 minutes. Her backcourt partner, junior Kara Dunn from Dallas, Georgia, provided critical support with 22 points.

Clemson countered with a balanced attack led by Taylor Johnson-Matthews, who scored 16 points. Raven Thompson added 11 points and three assists, and point guard Mia Moore facilitated the offense with nine points and six assists. The Lady Tigers also received a significant spark off the bench from 6-foot-5 center Morgan Lee, who scored 12 points in just nine minutes, and 10 points from Demeara Hinds.

The game’s rhythm was established early, with Clemson building a 28-26 halftime lead behind consistent scoring in the first two quarters. Southern California, remarkably, scored exactly 13 points in each of the first three periods, struggling to find consistent offensive flow against a determined Clemson defense. The Lady Tigers maintained a slim 43-39 advantage heading into the final quarter of regulation.

The fourth quarter transformed into a high-stakes duel. Trailing by six points early in the period, Southern California unleashed a 22-point frame, its highest-scoring quarter of the game. Davidson and Dunn catalyzed the comeback, with Davidson nailing a crucial 3-pointer and Dunn connecting on multiple deep shots. Clemson, however, refused to yield. Key baskets from Hinds and Moore, including a 3-pointer from Moore with just over two minutes left, kept the Lady Tigers ahead.

The final minutes of regulation were a chaotic scramble. With Clemson leading 61-59, Southern California’s defense forced a critical turnover with eight seconds remaining. After a timeout, the Women of Troy inbounded the ball, and Dunn was fouled on a drive to the basket with 4.4 seconds on the clock. She calmly sank both free throws to tie the game at 61. Clemson’s last-second heave was off target, sending the game to overtime.

The most important sequence of the game unfolded in the extra period. With Southern California clinging to a 64-62 lead and under 30 seconds to play, Clemson’s Morgan Lee drained a dramatic 3-pointer from the wing, assisted by Moore, to put the Lady Tigers ahead 67-64 with just nine seconds remaining.

Facing elimination, Southern California called timeout. On the ensuing inbounds play, Clemson’s defense committed a foul on the floor, sending Southern California’s Malia Samuels to the line for two shots with six seconds left. Samuels missed the first but made the second, trimming the deficit to 67-65.

Clemson then called its final timeout to advance the ball. On the inbound pass, Southern California applied immediate pressure, and Clemson’s Rachael Rose was called for a foul while battling for position, sending Samuels back to the line for two more shots with six ticks remaining. Samuels again missed the first, but her second free throw was true, making it 67-66.

Needing only to inbound the ball safely to secure a chance at game-clinching free throws, Clemson faced a full-court press. The Lady Tigers’ inbound pass was tipped and stolen by Southern California’s Gerda Raulusaityte near midcourt. She quickly fed the ball to a streaking Jazzy Davidson, who drove into the lane and drew a foul as she attempted a shot with 1.7 seconds left.

Davidson, the game’s dominant force, stepped to the line with a chance to win it. She sank the first free throw to tie the game at 67. After a Clemson timeout intended to ice her, Davidson coolly knocked down the second, giving Southern California a 68-67 lead. Clemson’s desperation inbound pass was intercepted by Kennedy Smith, who was fouled and made two final free throws to seal the 71-67 victory.

The stunning final sequence, culminating in Davidson’s clutch free throws, capped a game where Southern California repeatedly overcame deficits. The Women of Troy were projected as strong favorites by advanced metrics but found themselves in a fight for survival against a gritty Clemson squad.

Southern California advances to face Southern on Monday, again at Carolina Coliseum.