Another week down, another slew of Big Ten games for women’s basketball.
While the games were more predictable this week, there were still several big moments from Week 11 of the 2025-26 season.
USC earns 1st win since December
In the wake of JuJu Watkins’ absence following an ACL tear in the second round of last year’s NCAA tournament, USC hasn’t been the same.
After starting the season 10-3, the Trojans have lost the following four games, including a pair against unranked Oregon and Minnesota.
USC flipped the script on Sunday as it earned its first win of 2026, defeating Purdue 83-57. Its last win came on Dec. 29 in an eight-point game against Nebraska.
It was another quiet game from Jazzy Davidson, who scored just 13 points on 4-for-12 shooting. Senior Kara Dunn did the heavy lifting, scoring 29 points with four triples.
The Trojans sat near the bottom of the Big Ten with just two conference wins, compared to their six wins at this time last year. Now, they’re tied for 10th in the conference with easier games against Rutgers and Northwestern on the horizon.
Indiana, Penn State remain winless in Big Ten
After Rutgers earned its first conference win over Penn State on Sunday, just two teams remain winless in conference play: Indiana and Penn State.
Guard Kiyomi McMiller (23) dribbles during the women’s basketball game against Rutgers at Rec Hall on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in University Park, Pa. The Scarlet Knights defeated the Nittany Lions 76-72.
Lucas Yendrzeiwski | The Daily Collegian
Indiana came into the week on a five-game losing streak, and that was extended as it fell to Washington 82-63.
Former Lady Lion Shay Ciezki continued to lead the conference in scoring as she put up another 23 points on Wednesday, shooting 7-for-11 from deep.
However, the rest of the team wasn’t able to push the Hoosiers to the win column, with just freshman Maya Makalusky scoring 16 points and five other players combining for 24 points.
Likewise, the Lady Lions saw success from Gracie Merkle and Kiyomi McMiller against Rutgers, but couldn’t come out victorious.
The two combined for 48 points, but the Scarlet Knights had five players in double figures, including Nene Ndiaye, who led the way with 20 points.
UCLA continues Big Ten dominance
After upsetting top-seeded USC in the Big Ten championship game last year, UCLA has been on a roll ever since.
That continued to be the case last week as the Bruins won two more games to move to 17-1 on the year — the best record in the Big Ten.
UCLA started the week off with an 18 point win against Minnesota, followed by a 30 point win against No. 12 Maryland.
On Wednesday’s game, UCLA star Kiki Rice led the way with 25 points, shooting an almost perfect 8-for-9. However, she was held quiet in Sunday’s big win with just eight points.
Meanwhile, the team’s supporting cast stepped up in a big way against Maryland, with Gabriela Jaquez, Charlisse Leger-Walker and Gianna Kneepkens combining for 55 points.
MORE BASKETBALL CONTENT
Is it time to pull the plug?
If you’re interested in submitting a Letter to the Editor, click here.