Women’s Basketball Roundup : USC Out of First Place After 73-61 Loss to Washington

Washington took over first place in the Pacific 10 with a 73-61 win over USC at Seattle, the Huskies’ 39th straight regular-season win at home.

USC, which trailed by as many as 10 points in the second half, got to within three with 5:45 left. But the Trojans could get no closer, turning the ball over on three straight possessions. Washington capitalized on the mistakes to put the game out of reach.

Washington (16-3 overall, 8-1 in conference) was led by Lisa Oriard with 21 points. Cherie Nelson had 17 points to lead USC (13-6, 7-2).

CS Long Beach 79, Fresno State 78--The 49ers survived a scare, coming from behind to defeat the Bulldogs in a Pacific Coast Athletic Assn. game at Fresno.

Fresno State led for most of the game, until Shameil Coleman’s three-point play gave Long Beach its first lead at 77-74 with 2:17 remaining. Fresno State closed to within one at 77-76, but Penny Toler made two free throws with 28 seconds left to seal the win.

When the teams met earlier this season, Long Beach won, 114-70. Fresno State (15-4 overall, 7-3 in conference) was led by Wendy Martell with 28 points. Cindy Brown led Long Beach (19-1, 9-0) with 25 points.

UCLA 67, Washington State 63--Dora Dome had 25 points to lead the Bruins to a Pac-10 win over the Cougars at Pullman, Wash.

Guard Kristi Moore had 15 assists for the Bruins. UCLA is 11-7 overall, 4-4 in conference. Washington State is 7-10, 0-8.

Cal Poly Pomona 80, Chapman 56--Michelle McCoy had 20 points and 11 assists to lead the Broncos over the Panthers at Pomona in a battle for first place in the California Collegiate Athletic Assn. Pomona, top-ranked in NCAA Division II, is 19-1 overall and 6-0 in conference. Chapman is 11-9, 4-2.