Women’s Basketball Roundup : USC Reaches Final With 86-64 Victory

Karon Howell scored 21 points, and Cherie Nelson had 18 points and 18 rebounds to lead the USC women’s basketball team to an 86-64 win over Old Dominion Friday night in the first round of the USC tournament before 2,478 fans at the Sports Arena.

In the first game, Texas, the defending national champion, opened its season by defeating No. 7-ranked Cal State Long Beach, 100-86. All five of Texas’ starters scored in double figures.

The Trojans, ranked No. 5, led at halftime, 39-22, and never trailed. However, USC point guard Rhonda Windham was forced out after the first three minutes with a sprained ankle, and her availability for tonight’s championship game against Texas is uncertain. The game will be a rematch of last season’s NCAA final.

Cal State Long Beach plays Old Dominion for third place at 5 p.m.

Loyola Marymount forced 28 turnovers as the Lions opened their season with a 55-53 victory over Texas Arlington in the first round of the Little Apple women’s tournament at Manhattan, Kan.

Sylvia Bauer led the Lion offense with 15 points, and Chris Connolly added 14 points and 11 rebounds. Loyola Marymount will play tournament host Kansas State, an 84-46 winner over Western Illinois, in the championship game tonight.

Michelle Hoppes scored 27 points and made two free throws with 13 seconds remaining to lead Wyoming past Cal State Fullerton, 73-72, in the Cal State Fullerton women’s tournament.

Teresa Poindexter added 9 points for Wyoming, which will meet Pepperdine in the championship game tonight at 8. Pepperdine beat Cal Poly Pomona, 62-59.

Cal Poly Pomona, the defending Division II national champion, will meet Fullerton at 6 p.m. in the consolation game.