WOMEN’S BASKETBALL : Arizona Makes USC Work Unexpectedly Hard, 71-68

For USC’s departing seniors, it was supposed to be a fun-filled farewell against an overmatched opponent. So Coach Marianne Stanley started her three seniors--guard Tammy Story and forwards Linda Kennedy and Julie Garcia--and sat down.

Stanley’s relaxed posture lasted about a minute and a half. What brought her out of the chair immediately was this:

Arizona’s Margo Clark put down two quick jumps shots, the second coming just after a Lisa Leslie turnover. The Wildcats were not looking like a team that had won only two games in the Pacific 10.

That set the tone Sunday as USC struggled the entire game, holding off Arizona, 71-68, at Lyon Center.

Appropriately, Story and Kennedy, playing in their last regular-season home game, helped the Trojans with free throws in the final 29 seconds. With the score tied, at 68-68, Story made two free throws.

After a timeout, the Wildcats got the ball to Clark, who put up a jumper that didn’t come close, glancing off the backboard.

Still, the Wildcats had one final chance. They fouled Kennedy with 12 seconds left and she made only the first shot of the one-and-one. Arizona rebounded, but Mary Klemm’s desperation three-pointer went off the rim.

The Trojans (19-7, 12-4) are 9-2 in games decided by five points or less. “We’ve just kept our composure,” said Story, who scored 21.

Janelle Thompson led Arizona (8-18, 2-14) with 23 points.

Arizona State 99, UCLA 91--Center Lisa Salsman scored 27 points, leading No. 24-ranked Sun Devils to victory at Pauley Pavilion.

The Bruins (17-9, 10-6) played most of the game without Rehema Stephens, who was limited to only three points in 12 minutes because of an injured left foot. Natalie Williams led UCLA with 27 points and 18 rebounds.