Cal sophomore guard Mercedes Jefflo draws a charge against ASU redshirt junior guard Katie Hempen at Wells Fargo Arena on Feb. 8, 2015. Hempen would make a key 3-pointer late in the game but Cal would answer with a buzzer beater to down the Sun Devils 50-49. (Daniel Kwon/The State Press)In the game that would determine whether or not Oregon State would win the conference title outright, the ASU women's basketball team (24-4, 13-3 Pac-12) took on USC (15-12, 7-9 Pac-12).
ASU started the game with an unusual turnover that USC was unable to capitalize on but the Trojans did manage to get on the scoreboard first with a basket from senior forward Kaneisha Horn.
The Trojans took the early lead until ASU junior guard Peace Amukamara tied it up 6-6 with a great drive to the basket. The first half was full of threes as USC took the lead multiple times but ASU responded by tying it almost every time.
The Sun Devils were able to pull ahead after Amukamara drained a 3-pointer, tying it up 19-19, the last tie of the first half.
ASU went on a 7-0 run as junior guard Elisha Davis drives to basket and pushed ASU ahead 21-19.
The Sun Devils' lead just kept growing to 27-20 as junior guard Eliza Normen was called for traveling.
Throughout the first half, there were only four USC players on the scoreboard compared to the eight scoring players from ASU.
Late in the first half, the Trojans picked up the pace, went on a 7-3 run, and cut the lead to three points after another basket from freshman guard McKenzie Calvert.
At halftime, ASU led USC 37-29, shooting nearly 60 percent from the field. The ASU top scorers were Davis with 11, redshirt junior guard Katie Hempen with six, and Peace Amukamara. USC’s top scores included sophomore guard Courtney Jaco and senior forward Alexyz Vaioletama both with nine points, as well as Horn with six.
The Sun Devils were able to pull ahead mainly due to the lack of Trojan defensive. Both teams were able to get 14 rebounds during the first half, but only six of those 14 were offensively for USC compared to ASU’s 11.
ASU started the second half just as strong as they were in the first with a 7-0 run until USC junior guard Brianna Barrett picked it up with back-to-back baskets and cut the lead to six. The Sun Devils took a timeout, and Barrett was back with another basket as USC only trailed by four.
ASU senior guard Promise Amukamara responded with a drive getting the basket and the foul. The Trojans stepped up their defense during this second half and cut the lead to five with a jumper from Vaioletama off the assist from Barrett.
Late in the second half, USC was able to maintain that pace and only trailed by one after an 8-0 run and a 3-pointer from redshirt sophomore guard Jordan Adams. The Sun Devils lost control of the bar and Jaco was there with the turnover and basket giving USC its first lead since early in the game.
After great shots from both teams, Calvert gave USC the 58-55 lead after knocking down a 3-pointer. The Sun Devils responded quickly and tied it up again 58-58 with just 3 minutes left to play.
Horn pushed USC ahead by four after hitting another jumper and with 50 seconds left and the Trojans still led by two. ASU sophomore forward Sophie Brunner drove to the basket for an and-one opportunity. With a tie game 64-64, Brunner had the chance to take the lead but missed the free throw and the teams went into overtime.
This was the first overtime game for ASU this season and USC’s second, coming out on top both times.
The Trojans took the early overtime lead as Calvert drained yet another 3-pointer but Promise Amukamara responded with back-to-back baskets pushing ASU ahead 68-67 halfway through the first overtime.
The Sun Devils held the 70-68 lead up until the last 20 seconds when they sent USC to line. The Trojans made both frees and sent the game into a second overtime.
Again in the second overtime, USC took the early 73-72 lead but Promise Amukamara was there with the basket again pushing ASU ahead. The Sun Devils kept that lead through the second overtime and pushed even more ahead as Normen drained one late in the final overtime.
USC attempted the game-tying 3-pointer but it was blocked by Brunner and ASU defeated USC 76-73 for their weekend sweep.
Additional Notes
- Including tonight’s loss, USC has won 54 of the 74 meetings against ASU. ASU won the only regular season meeting last season, 94-86 (OT).
- With its guaranteed first-round by in the Pac-12 Tournament, ASU will play its first tournament game on Friday, March 6.
Reach the reporter at kewens@asu.edu or follow @katlynewens on Twitter.
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