University of Washington
USC
Dawgs Clinch Fifth In Pac-12, Beat USC, 60-48
February 27, 2015 | Women's Basketball
Box Score | Highlights | Plum Interview
SEATTLE – Washington won their 10th game of the season at Alaska Airlines Arena, knocking off USC, 60-48. After a sloppy first half, the Dawgs (21-8, 10-7) took control after the break as Kelsey Plum got it going to finish with 27 points.
The win clinched fifth place in the Pac-12 for Washington and also an above .500 record in conference. That and the lofty RPI of 26 entering Thursday should all but secure an NCAA Tournament berth for the Huskies.
Plum found her scoring form in the second half, making 6-8 from the floor and 7-8 from the line to net 19 points after the break. As a team, Washington shot 46 percent in the second half to outscore USC, 36-23 in the period.
The game began slow as neither team could find a rhythm in the first half. The Dawgs committed nine turnovers, but forced 10 out of the Trojans. Washington held USC to just 32 percent shooting, but was outrebounded 24-18 to give the Trojans extra chances.
Jazmine Davis and Plum each had eight points in the half, but UW shot just 37 percent as a team. USC took a 25-24 lead to the break, but it would be shortlived as Washington took control coming out of the half.
After struggling on the board in the first half, the Huskies picked up their intensity and dominated the glass in half two. Aminah Williams finished with 11 rebounds, while Chantel Osahor had nine and Talia Walton seven. The Dawgs were plus-12 in rebounding margin in the second half to finish with a 44-38 edge.
The effort on the glass led to better UW offense and holding the Trojans to just one shot at the other end. Walton and Davis each finished in double figure with 11 apiece as the Huskies put the game away in the final 10 minutes.
It was not the prettiest win of the season for the Huskies, instead the gritty type of victory that Washington will need to win as it approached the Pac-12 and NCAA Tournaments.
Saturday, the Huskies will close out the regular season by hosting UCLA for a 1 p.m. tip. The afternoon will be senior day as Davis and Williams will be honored after the game. The Husky seniors have played in more games than anyone in school history and are the school's all-time leading scorer and rebounder.
