During her postgame news conference on Saturday, following the USC Trojans' 79-51 loss to the top-ranked UConn Huskies, head coach Lindsay Gottlieb took a moment to address a tragic event that deeply affected her personally. Gottlieb, an alumna of Brown University, shared her emotional response to a shooting that occurred at her alma mater, where reports indicate that at least two individuals lost their lives and eight others sustained injuries.
Upon returning to the locker room, Gottlieb learned about the devastating shooting through a group chat with her former teammates. Fighting back tears, she expressed her sorrow, saying, "It doesn't need to be this way. Sending thoughts and prayers to my teammates who have kids there." She highlighted the distress parents feel, emphasizing, "We're the only country that lives this way." This poignant statement underscores the ongoing issues surrounding gun violence in the United States.
Gottlieb reflected on the anxiety that students and parents face, sharing a personal story about a teammate whose daughter was sheltered in the library during the incident. "I have a teammate who has a daughter who is in the basement of the library because she doesn't know what's going on there, and she's flying there tomorrow," she stated, highlighting the fear and uncertainty that grips families during such crises.
Before transitioning to discuss the Trojans' performance against the Huskies, Gottlieb reiterated the importance of safety and unity in the face of tragedy. "Hopefully, everyone is safe and praying for peace for those that have lost people," she said. "And that's that, it's more important than basketball. We can all be better." This statement reflects her belief that the community should come together to address the pressing issues of gun violence and public safety.
Following her heartfelt remarks, Gottlieb turned her attention to the game itself, expressing pride in her team's effort despite the loss. "I was proud of the fight the 16th-ranked Trojans showed against the Huskies," she noted. However, she also recognized that the team's attention to detail was lacking, which ultimately hindered their ability to compete effectively. "It wasn't good enough to win the game or compete as well as we wanted to against them," she added.
After suffering their first home loss of the season, Gottlieb remained optimistic about her team's future. She stated, "We will get better from it," indicating her commitment to fostering growth and resilience within the squad. The Trojans are scheduled to face Cal Poly on Thursday at the Galen Center in Los Angeles, where they hope to bounce back and improve upon their performance.