Strong Finish Lifts California to Win

USC, ahead by 10 points with 8:44 to play, folded meekly in the stretch and lost to California, 61-55, on Friday night before 564 at the Lyon Center.

“I knew with this team that getting that 10-point lead was the worst thing that could have happened to us,” Coach Chris Gobrecht said. “We had that team on the ropes and then we just quit defending them.”

The Golden Bears, 7-11 overall and 3-5 in the Pacific 10 Conference, ended a 13-game losing streak to the Trojans (8-10, 3-5). Senior point guard Courtney Johnson had a game-high 22 points for California, which trailed, 29-23, at the half.

It looked as if a rout was in the works when USC’s Jessica Cheeks and Aisha Hollans made three-point baskets 24 seconds apart with 9:44 to play, giving USC a 43-35 lead. Another three-point basket by Cheeks with 5:40 left produced a 51-43 Trojan lead, but USC failed to score another field goal as Cal finished with a 16-4 run.

With 1:30 to play and Cal ahead, 57-55, USC’s Tashara Carter missed a 15-foot jump shot and Golden Bears scored on their next possession on a basket by Johnson.

USC shot only 29.5% to Cal’s 45.1%.