Emotions flare as USC women defeat UCLA

The video clip from the USC-UCLA women’s basketball game that figures to make the highlights, and the buzz in the Internet chats, will be about the fight that never was.

Four ejections, four technical fouls and six free throws later -- Allison Jaskowiak made the first five of them with 2.6 seconds remaining -- and USC had defeated the Bruins, 64-56, at the Galen Center.

UCLA (9-9, 4-3 in the Pacific 10 Conference) had won four of its previous five, and USC (11-7, 4-3) had lost three of five before Saturday. They share fourth place in the Pac-10.

“It was a must-win game for both of us,” said USC Coach Mark Trakh. “We needed to play well. We didn’t play very well in the Washington swing and UCLA played very well. We needed to get back on track, because they were really jelling as a team. It was important from an emotional and mental standpoint.”

The final moments were an emotional free-for-all. USC opened a 33-16 halftime lead, but UCLA cut a 58-43 deficit to 58-56 with a 13-0 run capped by Lindsey Pluimer’s three-point basket from the corner with 1:08 remaining.

USC center Nadia Parker’s free throw made it 59-56 with 15 seconds left, setting up one of the wildest finishes in the rivalry’s history.

Pluimer tried another three-pointer from the corner, but Parker blocked it. Jaskowiak came down with the ball, and Pluimer fouled to stop the clock while Jaskowiak threw an elbow that landed on Pluimer’s cheek as the two became entangled.

It could have ended there. “I’m a very composed person, nothing was going to happen,” said Pluimer, a senior who scored 15 points despite one-for-six shooting in the first half.

But UCLA freshman Moniquee Alexander, Candice Brown and Darxia Morris left the bench to aid Pluimer. Jacki Gemelos, a redshirt freshman at USC who hasn’t suited up all season, joined and was ejected, too.

After about a 12-minute delay for officials to review video and sort it out, Jaskowiak went to the line and made her first five of six free throws.

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martin.henderson@latimes.com