University Southern California Trojans
USC
*Arizona
Women of Troy Upset 24th-ranked Arizona, 68-66
February 15, 2004 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 15, 2004
LOS ANGELES - Jessica Cheeks' three-pointer with less than a minute remaining, secured USC's upset victory over 24th-ranked Arizona in front of 1,262 at the Sports Arena on Sunday afternoon. Cheeks was perfect from the field, hitting 3-of-3 from beyond the arch and 5-of-5 from the field.
With the win, USC improves to 11-4 in the Pac-10 and is within a half game of first place. This is the first time USC has been in contention for the conference title since the 1994 season. Arizona drops to 18-7 overall and 10-4 in the Pac-10 to fall to third place.
Arizona shot 56 percent from the field (28-50), but it was not enough to overcome USC's defense, which forced 28 Wildcat turnovers. The Women of Troy also collected 12 steals in the effort.
The Trojans held of a late Arizona rally, which saw the Wildcats diminish USC's game-best nine point lead, 61-52, with 3:27 on the clock. The Wildcats used an 8-0 run to come within one point, 61-60, with 1:26 left. Cheek's three-pointer gave the Women of Troy some breathing room as they managed to hold off Arizona's efforts in the final stretch.
The Women of Troy and the Wildcats exchanged leads throughout the first half, neither team leading by more than five points. Arizona, despite a solid shooting effort, entered the locker room up by only three, 30-27.
Cheeks led with 15 points, while seniors Ebony Hoffman and Rometra Craig added 12 and 11 points, respectively. Hoffman and freshman Eshaya Murphy each added a team-best five rebounds. Arizona was led by guard Dee-Dee Wheeler, who contributed 20 points, and Natalie Jones, who added 18 points. Center Shawntinice Polk posted a double-double for the Wildcats with 14 points and 10 rebounds, but fouled out with nine minutes left in the game.
USC travels to the Bay Area this week to face Stanford on Thursday, Feb. 19, and California on Saturday, Feb. 21.
