Pac-10 women’s tournament: USC advances to semifinals with 80-76 win over Oregon

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It was high-powered offense vs. gritty defense, Coach Paul Westhead vs. Coach Michael Cooper, Oregon vs. USC. Give the nod to defense, Cooper and the third-seeded Trojans, at least today, as they beat sixth-seeded Oregon, 80-76, at the Galen Center in a State Farm Pacific 10 Conference women’s tournament quarterfinal game.

The Trojans move on to tomorrow’s semifinal round of the Pac-10 tournament (tip-off at 5 p.m.) to play the winner of Friday night’s game between second-seeded UCLA and 10th-seeded Oregon State.

It was fairly close throughout, but with 24 seconds left, USC’s Ashley Corrall buried a three-point jumper from the left wing to give the Trojans a 76-71 lead.
Oregon’s Nia Jackson was fouled as she made a layup on the other end, and after converting the free throw the Ducks had cut their deficit to 76-74 with 16 seconds remaining. Possessions would be exchanged before Oregon’s Taylor Lilley had a costly turnover that forced the Ducks to foul. After a few made free throws, USC had the win in hand.

Briana Gilbreath was huge for USC in the second half, scoring 15 points after having four in the first half. Gilbreath, who was named the Pac-10’s co-defensive player of the year, also made several key defensive stops.

Lilley, who holds school records for three-point shots made in a single game, season and career, was four of seven from beyond the arc to give her 112 this season, moving her into 10th place all-time in NCAA single-season history. She finished with a game-high 22 points.

USC shot 31 of 76 from the floor; Oregon shot 26 of 61. The Trojans held a 48-34 rebounding edge.

-- Baxter Holmes