USC Makes Easy Work of Matadors

With the rigorous women’s basketball nonconference schedule USC has faced and still faces, a breather such as Tuesday’s game against Cal State Northridge was necessary.

The Matadors could not do much to disrupt the Trojans’ superior size and skill, and USC pounded out a 96-54 victory in front of 1,182 at the Sports Arena.

Led by Aisha Hollans’ 24 points, and Ebony Hoffman’s 18 points and 10 rebounds, the Trojans improved to 3-4 and will take good feelings into Sunday’s game against defending NCAA champion Notre Dame at South Bend, Ind.

The No. 23 Irish will be the third ranked team the Trojans have played this season, joining Tennessee and Florida.

Northridge (0-5), which got 14 points from Jenny Shetters, has not won in 13 consecutive games (12 losses, one tie).

The Matadors’ last victory came against Cal State Sacramento in February.

“You can tell we’re getting there as a team, and once we collect ourselves, we’ll be scary. But we’re not there yet,” said USC Coach Chris Gobrecht.

The Trojans shot 50.7% from the field and outrebounded Northridge, 45-24.

But USC committed 25 turnovers--to Northridge’s 34--a weakness Gobrecht is trying to remedy.

“We’re still trying to play a faster, more aggressive game, and we’re still trying to get people used to playing with each other,” she said.

Hollans, who made nine of 18 shots, said the defense USC displayed in holding Northridge to 38.2% shooting better be there Sunday.

“We needed to play some good defense tonight and have some carry-over for the Notre Dame game,” Hollans said. “We know our offense will be there.”

Gobrecht shook up the lineup, starting Ryane Alexander at point guard over Jessica Cheeks.

Alexander had eight points and two assists in 20 minutes, and Cheeks had two points and five assists in 16 minutes.

Gobrecht said she will decide who will start against Notre Dame later this week.