COLLEGE BASKETBALL / WOMEN’S ROUNDUP : Leslie, Easterly Carry USC; UCLA Routs Pepperdine

Lisa Leslie and Joni Easterly combined for 43 points Wednesday as the No. 14-ranked USC women’s basketball team gained a 66-50 victory over Michigan State before 350 at the Lyon Center.

Leslie scored 24 points with 14 rebounds and three blocked shots while Easterly added 19 points, missing only one of 12 free throws.

The Trojans (6-1) took a 28-20 halftime lead against the Spartans (4-4) and never trailed. Annette Babers and Sheronda Mayo-Powell each fouled out for Michigan State, which shot 35% from the field.

USC travels to San Diego State Sunday before opening Pac 10 Conference play next week in Arizona.

UCLA 100, Pepperdine 52--Natalie Williams scored 22 points and had 12 rebounds to lead the Bruins past Pepperdine in the first game at the Lyon Center.

Michelle Palmisano and Allison Arredondo added 17 points each and Nicole Anderson had 16 points and six assists for the Bruins (3-4), who led at halftime, 57-20.

UCLA outrebounded Pepperdine, 56-34, and made 38 of 76 field goal attempts while Pepperdine converted only 18 of 57 for 31.6%.

Heather Wassenberg scored 12 points and Barbara Tanner added 10 for the Waves (4-6).

No. 3 Stanford 98, Cal State Long Beach 61--Anita Kaplan led five Cardinal players in double figures with 24 points as the Cardinal won easily at Long Beach.

Val Whiting had 20 points, Chris MacMurdo 16 (and a game-high 13 rebounds), Molly Goodenbour 12 and Christy Hedgepath 10 for Stanford (7-2). Long Beach (1-6) got 17 points apiece from Chenise Butler and Marsheela Harriston.

No. 6 Maryland 77, No. 1 Tennessee 72--Bonnie Rimkus scored seven points in a pivotal 19-7 run and Jesse Hicks got 12 of her 20 points in the second half as the Terrapins upset the Lady Vols to win the Maryland Invitational.

Peggy Evans scored 16 points to lead and Lisa Harrison added 14 for Tennessee (7-1). Rimkus had 17 points for Maryland (7-1).