USC women win as Oliver is on the go

USC women’s basketball Coach Mark Trakh had some postgame criticism for Heather Oliver, his sophomore guard from Australia.

“You passed up some open shots,” Trakh said. “Don’t do that.”

Oliver, who came to USC by way of Central Arizona -- and chose the Trojans over Rutgers -- was named most valuable player of the second Women of Troy Classic on Friday after leading her team to a 75-68 victory over Portland State at the Galen Center.

Since becoming a starter four games ago for injured Brynn Cameron (hip), Oliver has made 18 of 27 shots from the field, including five of seven against the Vikings (9-2). She scored 10, one of five Trojans in double figures.

“I think I can get better,” said Oliver, who was shooting 48.3% as a non-starter.

Cameron hit some key shots too. With USC leading 51-48, she converted two of three three-point shots in an 11-6 run that made it 62-54 with 7 minutes 8 seconds left. Portland State never got closer than six points the rest of the way.

Cameron scored 11. Nadia Parker and Camille LeNoir each scored 13, and Hailey Dunham had 10 for USC (7-4). Parker, a 6-foot-3 junior center who leads USC in scoring (12.7 points), rebounding (7.1) and shooting (64.2%), was named to the all-tournament team.

“I’m a junior,” said Parker, a slow starter this season but now one of the Trojans’ most dependable players. “I’ve been told time and again that I’m an upperclassman, and I should know what I’m doing.”

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martin.henderson@latimes.com