USC Routs San Diego

Any “breather” game during the basketball season is welcomed. The USC women had one Saturday and did all they needed to do for an 82-65 victory over the San Diego Toreros in front of 505 at the Sports Arena.

The Trojans (2-3) quickly put to rest any fears they would sleepwalk through the afternoon contest after nearly upsetting top-ranked Connecticut last week. USC forced 32 turnovers and had nine players score at least two points.

Rachel Woodward led USC with 16 points. Meghan Gnekow and Ebony Hoffman each scored 14.

Marta Menuez had 15 points for San Diego (2-6).

USC, which never trailed and led by as many as 24 points, had a scare late in the game when Hoffman rolled her right ankle while battling for a rebound. But Coach Chris Gobrecht believed the injury “looked worse than it was” and that Hoffman would be available Wednesday night against Southern Methodist.

The Trojans were without freshman Eshaya Murphy, their leading scorer off the bench, who had flu. Gobrecht benched Rometra Craig for the first half for a disciplinary matter.

It was the 800th game in for the USC women’s basketball program.

-- Mike Terry