Women’s Basketball Roundup : USC Routed by Illinois State

USC’s women’s basketball team failed to recover from 20% shooting in the first half Saturday as Illinois State scored a 76-59 upset victory over the No. 15-ranked Trojans in the Buckeye basketball tournament at Columbus, Ohio.

Pam Tanner had 16 points and 5 steals to lead the Redbirds (2-2) into today’s championship game against Ohio State, which beat Northeastern, 69-50.

Illinois State went on an 18-2 surge late in the first half, keyed by Char Govan’s 4 points and a string of 6 free throws.

The Trojans (1-1), who shot only 26%, trailed, 48-18, at halftime. “It was a nightmare in the first half,” said USC Coach Linda Sharp, who ordered a team practice after the game. “It was like a lid was on the basket. It was very frustrating. We can’t have that kind of shooting. I’m talking about missing right underneath the basket.”

USC was led by Cherie Nelson, a 6-foot 3-inch center, who had 23 points.

UCLA 80, Northern Arizona 46--Freshman center Molly Tideback scored 25 points as the Bruins evened their record at 2-2 with the nonconference win at UCLA. Junior forward Michele Wootton had 10 points and 13 rebounds for the Bruins. Northern Arizona is 1-2.