COLLEGE BASKETBALL WOMEN’S ROUNDUP : USC Defeats Maryland in Final

Freshman Tina Thompson scored 23 points and Lisa Leslie 22 as the USC women’s basketball team defeated Maryland, 92-85, Saturday night in the championship game of the Central Fidelity tournament at Richmond, Va.

Leslie, named the tournament’s most valuable player, also had nine rebounds and three blocked shots. She scored 17 points in the first half as the No. 13-ranked Trojans built a 31-9 lead 10:26 into the game.

Thompson had 17 of her points in the second half as the Trojans went to 3-0 for the first time since 1986, when Coach Cheryl Miller was a senior.

The No. 24 Terrapins (2-2) closed to within 83-82 with 1:52 left, but freshman Michelle Campbell, subbing for Leslie, scored off an offensive rebound and added a free throw. The Trojans then scored seven of the game’s final eight points.

Bonnie Rimkus scored 36 points for Maryland.

UCLA 83, No. 12 Western Kentucky 71--Natalie Williams had 15 points, 13 rebounds, four steals, three assists and two blocked shots as the unranked Bruins (3-0) upset the Lady Hilltoppers (1-2) at Pauley Pavilion.

Amy Jalewalia was the top scorer for the UCLA with 21 points. The Bruins outrebounded the Lady Hilltoppers, 49-31, and outshot them, 47.1% to 44.8%.

Gwen Doyle led Western Kentucky with 23 points.