USC and UCLA Women to Play Tonight at Pauley

The USC and UCLA women’s basketball teams place their winning streaks on the line tonight, as the Bruins play host to the Trojans at Pauley Pavilion at 7 p.m.

USC (8-3, 2-0) has won seven in a row and eight of its last nine. The Trojans climbed back into the Top 20 this week, to 18th.

They are led by center Cherie Nelson, who is averaging 21 points and 10.4 rebounds a game. Karon Howell is averaging 15.8 and Paula Pyers is averaging 11.6. Pyers, a guard, also has an assist average of 6.1., which is second in Pacific 10.

The Trojan season has been on an upswing ever since a humiliating 85-57 loss to Auburn last month. Following that game, USC beat then-No. 8 Ohio State as it began displaying cohesive passing and better overall defense.

The Trojans will be minus one big player--sophomore D’Yann Crosby, a 5-11 forward who was dismissed from the team last week.

UCLA (9-5, 2-0) has a six-game winning streak. The Bruins are led by senior guard Dora Dome, who is averaging 18.1 points and 7.5 rebounds. Freshman Rachelle Roulier is averaging 9 points and Sandra VanEmbricqs is the leading rebounder with a 7.9 average.

The Bruins have the edge in the cross-town rivalry, with a 16-13 record over the Trojans since 1972. The Trojans have beaten the Bruins in their last four meetings.

In other women’s basketball action this weekend, No. 12 Long Beach plays at Nevada Las Vegas Saturday night. The 49ers are 7-3 and 4-0 in the PCAA.