University of Washington
USC
Dawgs Earn Season Sweep Of USC, 61-53
February 13, 2016 | Women's Basketball
Box Score
LOS ANGELES – Washington got back on track on Friday night at the Galen Center, earning a crucial conference win over USC, 61-53. The Dawgs (17-7, 8-5 Pac-12) led almost all the way, using a balanced attack to defeat the Trojans (17-8, 5-8).
The win keeps the Huskies in fifth place in the conference and will help the Dawgs RPI as USC came in with a RPI of 25. It is also completes a season sweep of USC and makes it six-straight over the Trojans for the Huskies and all four meetings under head coach Mike Neighbors.
Kelsey Plum led all scorers with 22 points, but Katie Collier tied a career high with 16, while Talia Walton added 13. Chantel Osahor did not score, but battled all night inside, ripping down 16 rebounds.
Washington took an early lead, using an 11-0 run to lead 11-3 after the Trojans opened the game with a 3-pointer. The Huskies held USC to just 4-19 shooting in the first quarter, but after a hot start shot just 5-14 themselves. The Dawgs had their best luck getting out in transition as Walton knocked down a 3-pointer and Plum found Collier for a layup to lead 13-10 at the end of one.
The second quarter was more of the same as both teams struggled shooting the ball, but the Dawgs maintained their lead to take a 24-19 margin the half. Plum led all scorers with 10 points, while Osahor had eight first half-rebounds. Kelli Kingma came off the bench to give solid minutes, picking up three steals as the Dawgs forced USC into 10 turnovers.
The Huskies extended the lead in the third quarter, scoring the first six points after the break. Walton got things going, scoring six in the quarter, but it was Collier who was the difference maker. She scored eight in the quarter on 3-3 shooting from the floor and 2-2 free throws. Collier also drew a costly technical on USC in the final seconds as Plum made the free throws and then knocked down a 3-pointer when the Dawgs got the ball back to take a 48-33 lead.
Washington pushed their lead to 18 on an Alexus Atchley 3-pointer early in the fourth, but USC made their run midway through the final quarter. The Trojans went on a 10-0 run to cut the lead to eight, before Plum stopped the bleeding with a big jumper. Washington extended the lead back to 12, before USC made a furious late rally to get within four with under a minute to go. The Trojans would get no closer, however, as Walton and Atchley each made a pair of clutch free throws to clinch the win.
The Dawgs shot 36.4 percent (20-55) for the game, while holding the Trojans to 33.9 percent (20-59). Washington shot 15-18 form the line, while USC was just 5-8, which proved to be the difference.
The Dawgs will have a quick turnaround, but will stay in Los Angeles as the take on No. 14 UCLA on Sunday morning. Tipoff is set for 11 a.m. for a nationally broadcasted game on ESPNU.
