Dec. 5, 2004

Box Score

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The LMU women's basketball team fell to USC in the first ever meeting between the two schools, 77-56. The Women of Troy shot 57% from the field and outrebounded LMU 24-9 in the second half to pull away from the Lions. LMU falls to 4-3 on the season, while USC improves to 3-2.

LMU used an aggressive defense to force several early turnovers, and jumped out to an early 8-5 lead. USC would get a three-pointer from Camille Lenior, and a layup from Chloe Kerr to help it take a 12-10 lead. After LMU made it a 20-18 game on a Bianca Ziemann jumpshot, the Trojans went on a 9-0 run, highlighted by a three-pointer by Shay Murphy. The Lions finally ended a five minute drought with two free throws by Jevay Grooms. Grooms made it a 29-22 game on the next LMU possession, as she scored on a turnaround jumper. After Jamie Funn's free throws, Bianca Ziemann hit a three-pointer to make it a 31-25 game at halftime.

Ziemann scored 11 points in the first half, and made three steals.

Jacquelyn Woods scored four of LMU's first five points of the half, but the Women of Troy got strong play from Rachel Woodward to jump out to a 40-31 lead. Valerie Ogoke provided a spark on defense, making two steals on consecutive USC possessions, and scoring on a driving layup to make it a 40-33 game. The Women of Troy outrebounded LMU 12-1 during the first seven minutes of the second half, which helped them extend their lead to 49-33 at 12:25. With seveal players in foul trouble, the Lions had diffisulty stopping USC's offense, as the Women of Troy pulled ahead 58-35 before Mary Turner stopped the run with a three pointer. Ogoke took a long pass from Amanda DeCoud and scored a layup to make it a 58-40 game.

Turner hit another three pointer, and DeCoud made two free throws to cut the USC lead to 58-45 at 7:50. But USC went on a 11-2 run to make it a 22 point game. The Women of Troy finished strong to maintain the lead, and pull out the win.

USC outrebounded LMU 49-29, led by Kerr and Woodward who had 11 rebounds each. Turner was LMU's leading rebounder with five boards.

Bianca Ziemann finished the game with 16 points, while Woods added 11. It was the third straight double-digit game for the senior forward. DeCoud added four assists and four steals.

The Lions return to action next Saturday, traveling to Cal Poly to take on the Mustangs at 2pm.

-GO LIONS-