WOMEN’S BASKETBALL : Thompson Leads USC to Victory

Tina Thompson scored a career-high 35 points to help 23rd-ranked USC to an 87-76 victory over Marquette on Saturday in the opening round of the Hawkeye Classic.

Thompson, expected to be the focal point of the USC offense now that player of the year Lisa Leslie is gone, filled that role admirably in the Trojans’ opener.

The 6-foot-3 sophomore, the Pacific 10 Conference freshman of the year last season, made 14 of 27 shots in topping her previous best of 24 points against Arizona State last February. She also had 12 rebounds as USC outrebounded Marquette, 62-42.

Guard Karleen Shields scored 24 points for USC, 17 in the first half. Christine Kennedy led Marquette (0-2) with 22 points.