LOS ANGELES – A strong presence down low and a deep bench lifted USC to a 77-46 win over Santa Clara women's basketball Saturday afternoon.
The Trojans (4-0) outscored the Broncos (3-1) 38-18 in the paint while also holding a 40-15 edge in bench points and got points from eight different players, led by Shalexxus Aaron's game-high 20.
The game was close early until an 8-0 run at the end of the first and start of the second quarter put USC up 19-12. The Trojans then made seven of eight form the floor, including four of five from beyond the arc, during the second quarter to push the lead out to 32-18.
Aliya Mazyck (14), Mariya Moore (11), and Asiah Jones (10) all reached double-figures for USC who forced 22 turnovers and turned them into 17 points. The Trojans also went 9-for-20 as a team from beyond the arc with Santa Clara shooting 7-for-20, missing eight of nine at one point.
The Trojans all but put the game away when they scored the first seven points of the second half, continuing an 11-0 run that began at the end of the first half, to take a 48-27 lead midway through the third quarter.
Santa Clara briefly took a lead in the first quarter at 12-11 with three minutes to go when Joeseta Fatuesi knocked down a baseline jumper. The lead was gone on the next USC possession.
Emily Wolph had her best shooting day of the young season, knocking down three 3-pointers and scoring 16 on the day but struggled with foul trouble. Tia Hay added 12 points as well with Lauren Yearwood grabbing a team-high seven rebounds.
NOTES
- Santa Clara is now 0-5 all-time against USC.
- The Broncos used the same starting five (Wolph, Hay, Jimenez, Herlihy, Yearwood) for the fourth consecutive game.
- Santa Clara won the battle of the boards 32-30, including 13-9 on the offensive glass.
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The Broncos remain on the road and play at Cal State Fullerton Monday at 7 p.m.
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