For USC, Beating Florida Is Paradise

Sophomore Aisha Hollans had a career-high 29 points and nine rebounds Saturday to lead USC to a 71-68 upset of 12th-ranked Florida in the Paradise Jam tournament at the University of Virgin Islands in St. Thomas.

The Gators had a chance to force overtime, but Brandi McCain’s three-point shot missed at the buzzer.

Ebony Hoffman added 10 points and point guard Jessica Cheeks had six assists for USC (2-2), which will play Texas in the tournament today. Stacy Stephens scored 17 points and had a game-high 13 rebounds to lead the Longhorns past No. 23 Wisconsin, 75-70.

Monique Cardenas scored 18 points, Vanessa Hayden had 15 points and nine rebounds for Florida (2-1), which faces Wisconsin in today’s consolation game.

The victory was USC’s first over a ranked opponent since beating then-ranked No. 20 Oregon, 55-53, on Jan. 25, 2001

The Trojans outrebounded Florida, 43-36, and the Gators were 18 for 32 at the free-throw line.

“We lost because we can’t rebound. We’re not a good team. We need to commit to playing 40 minutes,” Florida Coach Carol Ross said.

Leading, 11-10, four minutes into the game, the Trojans went on an 11-0 run. Florida worked its way back to a three-point deficit at 29-26, but a nine-point run put USC ahead 38-26.

The Trojans led at halftime, 40-33, but Florida tied the score at 50 on a jumper by Cardenas with 11:37 remaining.

Florida took its first lead of the game, 58-56, with 7:25 left, but Cheeks responded with a three-point basket and Hollans added a three-point play to put the Trojans ahead for good.