Women’s Basketball : CS Long Beach Routs Toledo; Auburn Crushes USC

It was not a night for the squeamish.

Those basketball fans who shy away from debacles would have been advised to stay clear of the Dial women’s basketball tournament at Cal State Long Beach Friday night.

A gathering of 1,143 in the University Gym watched as seventh-ranked Long Beach routed Toledo, 95-53, to advance to tonight’s championship game.

The earlier game was ugly, as well, Auburn having little trouble with USC while winning, 85-57.

Long Beach (3-1) will play Auburn in the championship game tonight at 8.

The 49ers went to their bench early and eventually used all twelve players. The Rockets (2-2) substituted liberally, too, to spell players from the hectic pace of the game.

Angelique Lee and Penny Toler each had 18 points for the 49ers. Keri Cartwright led the Rockets with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

For USC, it was the worst loss in seven years. And, the 57 points the Trojans did score were the fewest the team has managed in two seasons.

In a word, bleak.

USC Coach Linda Sharp was asked what she took away from such a game. “A lot of bad feelings, I’ll tell you.”

There was plenty of telling going on in the USC locker room after the game, including an impassioned harangue from an assistant coach, Cheryl Miller.

Among the likely topics:

Shooting: The Trojans shot 31% from the field and some were worse than others. Paula Pyers, a key guard for USC, had been averaging 17 points per game but was 0 of 6 Friday night. Tammy Hammond was 2-12 and even Karon Howell, who had 17 points, was a dismal 5-17.

Rebounds: USC had 32, Auburn had 65.

A running game: Auburn had one.

A sense of team unity: Auburn had one.

Of course, a lopsided outcome is the result of such a mismatch. 18th-ranked USC is 1-3, third-ranked Auburn is 5-0.

Sharp had specifically noted Auburn’s up-tempo style and said USC had to control the pace of the game. “We can’t run with them,” she said.

That became apparent as the Tigers reeled off 14 straight points, giving them a 21-7 lead less than eight minutes into the game.

When USC did have the ball, they had difficulty getting their usual offense started.

“They are a very good defensive team,” Sharp said. “Their guards are big. There were times when our guards couldn’t see the basket.”

Or hit it.

Some Trojans did assert themselves in the second half. Sherrie Nelson, who had scored only 6 points in the first half, got 13 in the second. Nelson also led her team with 10 rebounds.

Auburn had depth for days. Five players were in double figures, led by Mae Ola Bolton with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Center Vicki Orr had 16 points and 13 rebounds.

USC will play Toledo in the consolation game tonight at 6.