NCAA Women's Tournament: USC falls to South Dakota State in overtime 62-57

The Trojans' wait for a victory in the Women's NCAA Basketball Tournament continues

USC's wait for a victory in the Women's NCAA Basketball Tournament continues. The No. 8 seeded Trojans, who haven't won a March Madness game since 2006, fell in overtime 62-57 to No. 9 seed South Dakota State on Friday night in a first-round game in Blacksburg, Virginia.

With 14 seconds left in overtime and USC trailing by three, Trojans' guard Destiny Littleton misfired on a three-pointer and from there, SDSU closed the game out with free throws. 

USC has played strong defense all season, but the team's offense has consistently struggled in its losses, which was the case against South Dakota State. The Trojans shot 31% from the field and had 20 turnovers. 

South Dakota State's Myah Selland led all scorers with 29 points on 10-of-18 shooting. Paige Meyer was the other Jackrabbit to score in double figures with 16 points. Littleton led USC with 18 points. Rayah Marshall scored 17 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and had seven blocks. 

With 16 seconds left in regulation and USC trailing by three points, the Trojans inbounded the ball with a chance to tie. Okako Adika then missed a three-pointer, but Marshall grabbed the offensive rebound, which set up Littleton, who hit a left-wing three-pointer to send the game to overtime. On the final possession of regulation, SDSU didn't get off a clean look. 

With the OT win, South Dakota State will take on No. 1 seed Virginia Tech in the second round on Sunday. 

USC ends the season with a 21-10 record, a nine-win increase from last year. In head coach Lindsay Gottlieb's third season, the Trojans will welcome the top-rated recruit in the country, Juju Watkins, next year. Expectations will be much higher for the Trojans in 2024.