USC’s Women Will Play Host to UCLA Tonight

USC’s women’s basketball team, which has lost its last 3 games and 5 of its last 6, will play host to UCLA tonight at 5:45 at the Sports Arena.

The Trojans, 0-2 in conference play and 4-7 overall, will once again have the services of star senior center Cherie Nelson, who was suspended by Coach Linda Sharp during a Trojan practice Jan. 2.

Without Nelson, whose suspension was lifted Sunday, the Trojans were routed last weekend, by Pacific 10 rivals Stanford, 89-50, and California, 83-61. The defeats were the first at home for USC against either team.

Nelson is third in the nation in scoring with a 27.8-point average. Without her, the Trojans are shooting only 39% from the field.

UCLA, 1-1 in Pac-10 play and 5-7 overall, has been hit hard with injuries. Junior backup center Sheri Bouldin is out with a dislocated left shoulder. Freshman Molly Tideback has had a sprained ankle but probably will play, and freshman point guard Michelle Miles, who has missed the Bruins’ last 3 games with a neck sprain, will play.

Tideback leads the Bruins in scoring with a 13.2 average.

The Bruins split their home games against California and Stanford last weekend, defeating the Bears, 72-57, then losing to the ninth-ranked Cardinal, 74-72.