LOS ANGELES — When UConn orchestrated, USC scrapped. The Trojans, who were a 20-point underdog at tipoff, let loose everything they had but were powerless against the No. 1-ranked women’s basketball team in the nation. No. 16 USC fell behind by as many as 21 points in the first half and lost 79- 51 on Saturday at the Galen Center. Kennedy Smith led the Trojans with 16 points and seven rebounds. Londynn Jones scored 14 points off the bench. UConn’s Azzi Fudd, who is expected to be the No. 1 pick in next year’s WNBA draft, scored a game-high 17 points. Ashlynn Shade added 15 points, Sarah Strong scored 14 points and pulled down seven rebounds and Bianca Quinonez came off the bench to add 12 points. USC (7-3) shot 23.3% in the first half and kept the score close in the first quarter. UConn (9-0), the reigning national champion, leaned on its physical dominance to go on a 15-0 scoring run to close the frame with a 23-9 lead. Shade made a wide-open corner 3-pointer to bring the score to 28-11 with 7:20 remaining until halftime, seemingly signaling UConn to shoot at will. Strong made a layup from under the net as the Huskies rattled off nine unanswered points for a 32-11 advantage. During the scoring run, USC went 0-for-8 shooting with three turnovers. UConn continued to control the paint, where it scored 26 points in the first half, after which it led 39-17, and 44 for the game. It finished shooting 48% (31 of 65) from the field, including 37% (7 of 19) from 3-point range. The Huskies forced 11 turnovers in the second half and outscored the Trojans 40-34 as they began to rotate in bench players. USC had its best offensive performance in the third quarter, putting up 22 points to UConn’s 30. Smith and Jones scored eight points apiece. The Huskies still led 69-39 after three quarters, thanks to a 20-4 run, and demonstrated poise while the Trojans appeared disconnected and, at times, frantic. Freshman Jazzy Davidson, who came into the game leading the Trojans with 16.7 points per game, made one of eight shots from the field in the first half. Her 6-foot-1 frame, which had gotten her 2.3 blocks a game up until Saturday, struggled against the Huskies’ press and one-on-one coverages. She finished with 10 points on 3-of-13 shooting with four blocked shots. USC’s schedule will ease up Thursday when Cal Poly comes to Galen Center for a 7 p.m. tipoff. Related Articles USC men’s basketball wants to avoid ‘comfort zone’ USC wide receiver Makai Lemon wins Biletnikoff Award No. 16 USC women host No. 1 UConn in Elite Eight rematch Future USC football players get a new-era education in opportunity USC men pull away from San Diego in 2nd half ...read more read less