USC Women Win Without Miller

With two-time NCAA Player of the Year Cheryl Miller out of the lineup, the seventh-ranked USC women’s basketball team had a chance to showcase some of its other talent in a nonconference game Tuesday night against San Diego State.

Miller was at home with her family recovering from a slight concussion and a sprained neck she had suffered Saturday against UCLA.

Still, USC didn’t appear to miss a beat. Cynthia Cooper scored 26 points and Cherie Nelson scored 22 points and had 13 rebounds as USC ran away from San Diego State, 91-73, in front of 658 fans at Peterson Gym.

Miller’s replacement, freshman Karon Howell, who was starting her first game of the season, scored 20 points, pulled down 10 rebounds and had 7 steals.

“I was very eager to get a chance to show what I could do,” Howell said. “We knew Cheryl wasn’t going to play, but we also knew that we’re a bunch of fighters who never give up.”

Some of the Trojans’ best fighting came under the boards in the first half. USC held a 25-17 rebounding advantage and a 41-34 lead at the intermission.

Howell keyed the rebounding surge with eight first-half rebounds.

“Coach (Linda) Sharp told us we would have to go to the boards,” Howell said. “I was down there, and the ball was bouncing my way.”

In the second half, however, the Aztecs started to get some of the bounces.

After falling behind, 62-52, with 10 minutes left, San Diego State put together a 12-4 spurt to get back in contention.

Shelda Arceneaux hit two free throws to get San Diego State within two at 66-64, but that’s where the run stopped.

Holly Ford hit a 12-foot bank shot from the right side, and Cooper hit two free throws to put the Trojans ahead, 70-65.

“I was thinking that we had played too well to lose when they got within two,” Sharp said. “But the kids never quit. Especially Karon. She had a great game.”