USC Women's Basketball: Lindsay Gottlieb Applauds Kayla Padilla's Shooting Night Vs Arizona

USC escaped with a big win over Arizona on Thursday.

The USC Trojans women's basketball team narrowly escaped with a massive win over the Arizona Wildcats on the road Thursday evening. USC came into the game as a big favorite, but the Wildcats gave them all they could handle.

The game ended with a score of 95-93, with USC coming out on top in double overtime. Arizona fought until the end, but USC was able to prevail and keep their impressive season going strong. 

The Trojans wouldn't have won the game without the services of guard Kayla Padilla, who scored 15 points to help the team get the win. After the fact, head coach Lindsay Gottlieb praised Padilla heavily for her timely performance.

“She’s selfless in an unbelievable way, but doesn’t lack confidence,” Gottlieb said. “She plays her role, doesn’t hunt shots, but hits the big ones when we need them.”

Per Lindsay Gottlieb via The Los Angeles Times

The Trojans used a fierce fourth-quarter comeback to send the game to overtime, showing their resolve as a team. It was the type of win that helps get through different moments of adversity, and this team certainly could use it.

“It’s a character win and it’s defining because we’re trying to become an elite team nationally, and we know that’s about more than one or two players,” Gottlieb said.

Per Lindsay Gottlieb via The Los Angeles Times

The Trojans will finish the regular season with a game against Arizona State, where they will look to solidify themselves heading into the Pac-12 Tournament. If they have a strong showing there, they should receive a solid situation within the upcoming NCAA Tournament bracket.