Oregon State Too Hot for USC

The USC women could not overcome Oregon State’s 69% shooting, losing, 73-66, Thursday night in a Pacific 10 game.

Sissel Pierce had 18 points for Oregon State (13-13, 9-5), which shot 81% from the field in the second half in winning for the ninth time in its last 12 games.

Tiffany Washington led USC (11-12, 6-7) with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Danielle Golay had 14 points and Tiffany Elmore scored 12 for USC.

Oregon State never trailed after jumping to an early 14-5 lead.

Oregon State held a 33-24 halftime advantage and led by as many as 15 points before USC mounted a late comeback to draw within 69-66 with 1:18 remaining on a basket by Washington.

But Ragland found Pierce open for a layup with 55 seconds left for a 71-66 Oregon State lead and Cherrith Wiersma made a steal on USC’s next possession.

She then made one of two free throws after being fouled intentionally with 32 seconds to play for a 72-66 margin.

Oregon State kept possession and ran 23 seconds off the clock before Felicia Ragland was fouled with nine seconds left. She made one of two free throws to end the scoring.

Nicole Funn scored a career-best 14 points for Oregon State, and Ragland had 11 points and seven assists.