LOS ANGELES, Calif. (11/21/12) – Despite
outscoring Southern California in the second half, the Trojans defeated
Arkansas State 72-58 at the Galen Center in a non-conference women's basketball
matchup on Wednesday night.
ASU (0-5) outscored USC 38-33 in the second
half and got 28 points from its bench, but could not overcome a 23-point first
half deficit. Senior Ashley Olvera led A-State with 11 points, while freshman
Jalen O'Bannon scored a season-high eight points, while Jane Morrill and Carlisha Wyatt also finished
in double-figures with 10 points each.
“There is no doubt we were very disappointed in
our ability,” ASU head coach Brian Boyer said. “We made those plays in the
second half and we played tougher and more physical and that is something we
have to build on.”
Arkansas State trailed 39-20 at halftime after
struggling to knock down shots in the first half. The Red Wolves shot just 24
percent (6-25) from the field and went over eight minutes without knocking down
a field goal.
ASU cut the USC lead to 48-36 after going on
an 8-0 run in the second half thanks to a superb effort on the defensive end.
The Red Wolves pressured the Trojans consistently in the second half and helped
slow the USC attack. The Trojans hit just four field goals in the first 10
minutes of the half, but USC's lead was simply too much for A-State to
overcome.
The Trojans led by as many as 23 in the first
half, but ASU closed the frame on an 8-3 run that was sparked by an impressive
effort on the defensive end of the court. The Red Wolves forced USC into 12
turnovers, but was only able to score four points off those turnovers.
USC started the game on a 16-6 run and pushed
the lead to 36-13 with 3:02 left in the first half. Sandy Jackson scored four
straight points and Jasmine Hunt knocked a jumper to pull A-State within 36-18
with 2:07 left in the half. Following a USC 3-pointer, Hunt knocked down
another jumper with 28 seconds left to set the halftime score.
ASU will return to the court Thursday, Nov. 29
for its Sun Belt Conference opener at Florida International. Tipoff is set for
4:30 p.m. CST.
