USC Women Paint Inside Lines in Rout

Four minutes had gone by. The USC women’s basketball team was scoreless and had turned the ball over in half of its first eight possessions.

Then a collective light seemed to go on: Why try to beat the Cal State Fullerton Titans with 20-foot shots when the Trojans could use their height and length advantage on the inside?

That plan proved far more effective for USC, propelling the Trojans past the Titans, 94-54, Friday at the Sports Arena.

Eshaya Murphy had 22 points, and Meghan Gneknow added 19 points and 10 rebounds for USC (6-3). Yet Chloe Kerr was the catalyst, scoring the Trojans’ first eight points and ending up with a career-high 18.

“It’s all about confidence, just go out there and play and not think about it. And that’s what I did,” said Kerr, who made nine of 10 shots.

The “feel good” effort was just what Coach Mark Trakh wanted for his Trojans, who begin Pacific 10 Conference play next week.

Every key statistical category was in USC’s favor: The Trojans shot 52.6% from the field (59.5% in the second half); outrebounded the Titans, 55-27, and had 26 assists on their 40 field goals. Perhaps more telling, USC outscored Fullerton, 22-2, inside.

“We needed to have a good shooting game going into the Pac-10,” said Trakh, whose team opens conference play Tuesday. “Fullerton is rebuilding, and they do a good job. But we needed to get our confidence and our shots up. I’m pleased; now we get ready for Oregon State.”

Charlee Underwood and Sandra Woloschuk each scored 10 points to lead Fullerton (1-8).

-- Mike Terry