Feb. 9, 2006

Box Score

LOS ANGELES, CALIF. -- The USC women's basketball team overcame a 12-0 Washington second-half run to force overtime, but was unable to outlast the visiting Huskies in an eventual 87-79 loss at the Sports Arena on Thursday night. The loss pulls Washington into sole possession of third place in the Pac-10 standings, while USC suffers its second straight loss. The Trojans are now 14-9 overall and 8-6 in the Pac-10. Washington improves to 16-6, 9-4. The win avenges a tight USC win on the Huskies' home court during the first half of conference play.

Washington led by as much as 13 midway through the first half after trailing by five at halftime. USC ate into that lead when it finally shook a cold start that saw the Women of Troy shoot 16 percent from the field to start. It took some time, but the Trojans got back in the game just in time thanks to a timely 3-pointers that made it a five-point game with 3:50 to go. Nadia Parker had a steal, Camille LeNoir converted a layup and Murphy nailed a pair of free throws to get it to a one-point game with two minutes to go. Murphy answered a Kristen O'Neill 3-pointer with another two free throws at 1:36, and then LeNoir finished off another smooth take to the hoop to tie it up 69-69 with 36 seconds left. LeNoir knocked the ball out of bounds with 9 seconds to go, leaving Washington with little room left to get a win in regulation.

The first overtime period saw USC jump out to a 73-69 lead with a LeNoir layup and a Murphy putback that gave her a career-high 24 points on the night. A Cameo Hicks 3-pointer -- her fourth of the night -- and a fadeaway putback from the Huskies' Breanne Watson got Washington back ahead by one, but LeNoir had another slick 3-pointer in her as well and nailed it for a 76-74 edge. Watson scored again after yet another Washington offensive rebound, and the USC sidestepped a heartbreaking late turnover and last-second layup chance by Emily Florence when Florence's layup rolled off the rim as time expired.
The already long and draining game then extended to a second overtime period, but this time Washington took the early lead. Jamie Hagiya made it a one-point game with a 3-pointer with 2:35 to go, only to have Washington stay solid on the boards and strong from the free-throw line to hold off the Trojans.

Murphy, LeNoir and Hagiya finished in double figures for USC. Murphy's career-high 24 points were accompanied by eight rebounds, and LeNoir added 20 points. Hagiya ended up with 10 for USC, and Allison Jaskowiak pulled down a career-high 10 rebounds. Washington had four players finish in double figures led by Hicks' 25-point effort. Andrea Plouffe added 15, Dominique Banks had 11, and Watson had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. The Huskies outrebounded the Trojans 64-49 in the game, and USC committed 29 turnovers compared to Washington's 23.

USC next faces Washington State at 2 p.m. on Saturday (Feb. 11) at the Sports Arena.

Washington....................   34   35    7   11  -   87
USC...........................   37   32    7    3  -   79