Women of Troy Escape With A Win Over San Diego State
Video by James Santelli and Benjamin Kapinos
USC women's basketball escaped with a win at home defeating San Diego State 65-61 in USC's home opener. The Women of Troy improve to 3-0 under new head coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke. San Diego State losses their second game in a row dropping to 0-2 on the season.
The Women of Troy's 3-0 start marks the first time since the 1998-1999 season that USC had a winning start. USC played physical defense sending the Aztecs to the line 32 times. San Diego State took advantage shooting 65.6% from the free throw line; 13 fouls were called on USC in the first 20 minutes.
USC's defense forced 15 turnovers and converted that into 12 points. USC led by as many as 19 points during the first half, and went into halftime leading 32-19. USC starters Cassie Harberts, Alexyz Vaioletama and Ariya Crook all ended in double figures and combined for 47 of the Trojans 65 points.
Harberts finished with 17 points, while Crook scored 18 points. Vaioletama finished the game with 12 points, six rebounds and four assists.
The second half was a different story as USC was outscored 42-33. Foul trouble plagued the Women of Troy, which allowed San Diego State's Cierra Warren to take over. Scoreless in the first half, Warren heated up and finished the game leading all scorers with 21 points and three rebounds.
The Aztecs cut the Trojans lead to three, but wasn't able to get the win. With 2.6 seconds remaining in the game Crook hit a crucial free-throw to secure USC's third victory of the season.
After shooting over 40 percent in the game USC ended the game shooting just below at 39.7 percent from the field, and a mere 30.8 percent from behind the arc. USC outrebounded San Diego State 38-32 and snagged 11 steals.
USC will go on the road to take Oklahoma State on November 22. Tip-off will be at 7:00 p.m.
