Oregon Ducks faced third ranked opponent in early Big Ten stretch
The University of Oregon women's basketball team traveled to Los Angeles on Jan. 5 to meet No. 21 USC in its third top-25 opponent in the first four Big Ten games. The matchup carried implications for conference standing, road performance and the Ducks' effort to notch their first victory over a ranked team this season.
The Oregon women’s basketball team visited the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Jan. 5 to play No. 21 USC, confronting its third top-25 opponent in the first four Big Ten games of the season. The nonconference-heavy schedule gave way to a rigorous early conference slate that tested the Ducks’ consistency and ability to perform away from Matthew Knight Arena.
Oregon entered the game with a 13-3 overall record and a 1-2 mark in Big Ten play after earning its first conference victory on New Year’s Day. The Ducks opened 2026 with a decisive 87-54 win over Northwestern at Matthew Knight Arena, a performance that highlighted balanced scoring and tightened defense. USC came into the meeting 10-4 overall and 2-1 in conference play after suffering an 80-46 loss to rival UCLA, a result that ended the Trojans’ three-game winning streak.
Beyond the immediate records, Tuesday’s contest carried tangible stakes for the Ducks. A win would have moved Oregon to 2-2 in the Big Ten, improved its true road record to 3-1 and represented the program’s first victory over a top-25 opponent this season. It also offered a chance to snap a multi-game Big Ten road skid that dated back to the previous season. For USC, the game was an opportunity to rebound and consolidate early conference momentum, relying in part on freshman Jazzy Davidson, who paced the Trojans with averages of 16.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.7 blocks and 1.8 steals per game.
The matchup was the 80th all-time meeting between the programs, a rivalry that began in 1981. USC held a 49-30 lead in the series going into the game and had won the previous four meetings, including a 66-53 victory in Eugene last season. The game was carried by the Big Ten Network, offering regional viewers access to a high-profile conference matchup.
For Lane County residents, the game underscored the challenges and opportunities facing the Ducks as they navigate a tougher conference alignment and increased national exposure. Early-season results in the Big Ten will shape postseason positioning and recruiting narratives, while road performances will be closely watched by local supporters tracking the program’s trajectory.
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