
Women of Troy eke out late victory over Oregon
Posted February 25, 2010 at 11:55 pm in Basketball, Sports
A road date against Oregon was all the USC women’s basketball team needed to get back on track offensively.
The Women of Troy (15-11, 9-6) beat Oregon 87-84 at Mac Court for their second consecutive victory. Â Sophomore guard Ashley Corral knocked down five 3-pointers and led four other USC players in double figures with 23 points.
Putting points on the board was not a problem for the Women of Troy against a high-octane Oregon squad that entered the game second in the country in scoring. Â USC, which was held below 60 points in its last five games, eclipsed the 60-point mark early in the second half.
A series of runs by both teams marked the second half. Â USC seized the lead on the opening possession with a 3-pointer by freshman forward Christina Marinacci.
The Women of Troy would stretch the lead to nine before Oregon made it close late. Â Neither team led by more than three points in the half.
Clutch free-throw shooting and some key offensive rebounds helped the Women of Troy avenge an early-season loss to the Ducks. Â USC trailed 82-80 late in the game when Marinacci rattled in a pair of free throws. Â The Women of Troy would not trail the rest of the way.
Corral knocked down four of six free throws in the final minute to preserve the win for USC. Â In a reversal of an earlier game this season, the Women of Troy got an extra possession after knocking a missed free throw out of bounds off an Oregon player. Â USC lost a game to California on a similar play.
Big performances on the glass by Marinacci and senior guard Hailey Dunham helped USC outrebound Oregon 34-30.
USC trailed 47-46 at the break despite shooting more than 50 percent from the field in the first half. Â Three players for USC reached double digits in points in the half. Â Sophomore guard Briana Gilbreath paced all scorers with 15 points. Â Corral and Dunham added 14 and 10 points, respectively.
Oregon led 18-11 early when USC coach Michael Cooper picked up a technical foul. Â His outburst prompted a 17-9 run by the Women of Troy that put them ahead 28-27.
Oregon senior Taylor Lilley — who erupted for 36 points and a school-record nine 3-pointers in the first meeting between the two schools — scored 14 points in the first half and finished with a team-high 22 points.  Backcourt mate Michaela Cocks added 16 points for the Ducks.
Redshirt junior guard Jacki Gemelos and Marinacci each scored 13 points for USC. Â Dunham finished with 12 points and added seven rebounds for the Women of Troy.
USC moved into sole possession of third place in the Pac-10 with the victory. The Women of Troy look to sweep the season series against Oregon State on Saturday.
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This article is tagged: ashely corral, Christina Marinacci, hailey dunham, oregon







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