Thompson’s Performance Dooms WSU

Tina Thompson scored a game-high 23 points as the USC Trojans overtook Washington State early in the second half, then held off the Cougars for a 70-63 Pacific-10 Conference victory Saturday before 404 spectators at Friel Court.

The Cougars (5-5, 0-2) held a 38-36 halftime lead and led by six points early in the final half, 44-38, when USC (8-3, 2-0) ran off 13 straight points to take command 51-44. Thompson had a pair of buckets and a steal during the run, while Kristin Clark scored two baskets, one a 3-pointer.

The taller Trojans enjoyed a 43-30 advantage on the boards, with Thompson grabbing 10 rebounds and Michelle Campbell nine. Jodi Parriott and Clark each added 13 points to the Trojans’ effort and Adrain Williams scored 12 off the bench.

Amy Saneholtz led WSU with 17 points, while Yvonne Kunze added 15 and Laura Wilder 12. Wilder was WSU’s top rebounder with nine.

The Cougars pulled to within two points midway through the second half, 56-54, and were within three with 3:39 to play, 66-63.

“In the second half, we didn’t execute the little fundamentals like we did in the first half,” Cougars coach Harold Rhodes said. “Also, we hit a 5-minute stretch when we tried to force the ball inside. We were not patient and we didn’t have the people taking shots who should be shooting.”

USC was especially tough on its own boards, grabbing 20 offensive rebounds. Several came in the closing minute as the Trojans went to the line, but only converted 2 of 6 free-throw attempts. The Cougars, however, couldn’t control the rebounds and USC was able to maintain possession.

USC missed the front end of one-and-one free-throw opportunities three times in the last 30 seconds and finished the game just 5 of 13 at the line.

WSU lost the services of starting forward Kristin Erickson 2 minutes into the game when she suffered a knee strain.

“We won’t know until Monday how bad the injury is,” Rhodes said.

Southern Cal 70, Washington St. 63

Southern Cal (8-3) - Thompson 9-21 4-4 23, Parriott 6-8 0-1 13, Campbell 2-4 1-3 5, Jackson 0-4 0-1 0, Clark 6-18 0-1 13, Kim Clark 0-0 0-0 0, Miller 1-1 0-0 2, Williams 6-8 0-1 12, Washington 1-2 0-2 2. Totals 31-66 5-13 70.

Washington St. (5-5) - Erickson 2-2 0-0 5, Saneholtz 8-12 1-2 17, Kunze 5-11 5-5 15, Hyett 0-2 0-0 0, Smith 3-10 0-0 7, McNeely 0-0 0-0 0, Evans 0-3 0-0 0, Ludwicki 1-4 0-0 3, Wilder 5-9 2-3 12, Rubio 1-2 2-2 4. Totals 25-55 10-12 63.

Halftime-Washington St. 38, Southern Cal 36. 3-Point goals- Southern Cal 3-13 (Thompson 1-5, Parriott 1-2, Kr. Clark 1-6), Washington St. 3-14 (Erickson 1-1, Hyett 0-2, Smith 1-7, Evans 0-1, Ludwicki 1-3). Fouled out-None. Rebounds-Southern Cal 43 (Thompson 10), Washington St. 30 (Wilder 9). Assists-Southern Cal 10 (Jackson 3), Washington St. 17 (Hyett 10). Total fouls-Southern Cal 13, Washington St. 14. A-404.

, DataTimes