University Southern California Trojans
Women's Basketball Loses to Oregon, 77-53
June 21, 1999 | Women's Basketball
January 8, 1999
LOS ANGELES - The Oregon women's basketball team shot 65.2 percent in the second half and outlasted a depleted USC squad, 77-53, in a Pacific-10 Conference game at the Lyon Center on Friday night in front of 503.
USC fell to 5-7 overall and 1-2 in the Pac-10, while Oregon improved to 12-2, 3-0.
The Women of Troy only dressed nine players, two of whom were guards. Four guards (Kristin Clark, Kim Clark, Erica Mashia and Kiyoko Miller) have suffered either season-ending or potential season-ending injuries. Two USC players fouled out and another two had four fouls.
"It's obvious we were lost on offense in the first half with our changes in the lineup," USC Coach Chris Gobrecht said. "We did much better in the second half. When we stay focused and go toe-to-toe with our opponents, we can hang with anybody in the conference. It just all unraveled in the last four minutes."
USC senior center Adrain Williams led all scorers with 19 points, 15 of which came in the second half. Against an Oregon defense that ranks No. 1 in the Pac-10, USC tied a season low by making just 32.3 percent of its shots and had a season low for points.
Sophomore center Jenny Mowe scored 17 points for Oregon, while freshman guard Shaquala Williams had 14 points and seven rebounds off the bench. The Ducks ended up shooting 52.3 percent for the game.
Oregon had a big edge at the free throw line, making 30-of-37 (81.1 percent) to USC's 9-of-13 (69.2 percent).
The Women of Troy were within one point at 22-21 with 4:31 to play in the first half, but the Ducks went on a 13-1 run to take a 35-22 lead into halftime.
USC was able to trim Oregon's lead to nine points early in the second half, but the Ducks' depth proved to be too great as they went on to take a 27-point lead, their largest of the game, in the final minutes.
USC hosts Oregon State on Sunday (Jan. 10) at 2 p.m., while Oregon visits UCLA.
