WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : No. 16 USC Gets Past Arizona, 68-54

The No. 16-ranked USC women’s basketball team, trailing by as many as eight points in the first half, took the lead for good with 16 minutes to play and went on to a 68-54 victory over Arizona on Thursday night before 1,671 in McKale Center at Tucson.

The Trojans, 7-2 overall and 1-0 in the Pacific 10 Conference, were led by Lisa Leslie, who had 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Joni Easterly, who made all eight of her free throws, had 14 points.

Trailing 33-29 with 18:16 to play, USC took the lead at 34-33 and went on an 11-0 run.

Easterly, Nicky McCrimmon and Kim Gessig converted 11 of 12 free throws in the final 1:30 to seal the victory.

USC freshman Rashida Jeffrey, a native of Tucson, got her first start and had seven points and four rebounds.

Stacie Tave scored 13 for the Wildcats (5-4, 0-1). Bonnie Dove had 10 points and 14 rebounds.

The Trojans’ next game is Saturday at Arizona State.

UCLA 81, Arizona State 63--Natalie Williams, scoring 26 points for the second game in a row, led the Bruins to a comeback victory at Tempe, Ariz.

Williams, who scored 26 in a 63-54 victory over Santa Clara on Monday night, had 13 rebounds against the Sun Devils (7-3, 1-0), who led, 37-31, at halftime.

Amy Jalewalia scored 14 points for the Bruins (6-4, 1-0). UCLA plays at Arizona on Saturday.