WOMEN’S ROUNDUP

Arizona 67, USC 52--USC answered two Arizona scoring runs with turnovers, setting up a predictable result, a victory for the Wildcats in front of 2,511 at Tucson, which also was the Trojans’ third consecutive Pac-10 loss.

The Trojans (7-8, 2-3) led early in the first half, but then had five straight possessions without taking a shot--a shot clock violation, an Arizona steal and three straight turnovers--while the Wildcats zipped ahead, 23-16.

Much the same happened late in the second half when USC, which had crept back to trail only 49-46 with 7:11 left, went three minutes without a basket as Arizona took a 58-46 lead.

The outlook isn’t good for USC, after being swept by the Arizona schools. The Trojans meet Oregon on Thursday at the Sports Arena.

USC Coach Chris Gobrecht attributed “timidity” to her club’s 29 turnovers.

“We can’t pass the stupid ball,” she said. “We can defend anyone [Arizona was one for seven on three-point shots], but passing the ball, that’s our No. 1 problem.”

Arizona scored 27 points off USC turnovers.

In her first start at center, 6-foot-2 Arizona freshman Krista Warren had 15 points. Senior Angela Lackey, bounced from the starting lineup for Warren, may have won her job back with 23 points.