Events

    December 6, 1996

    USC Sprints Past Western Illinois, 80-42

    RUSTIN, La. -- Tina Thompson scored a game-high 22 points to lead the University of Southern California to a convincing 80-42 victory over Western Illinois in opening round play of the Dial Soap Classic at Louisiana Tech this evening.

    Thompson was 9-of-13 from the field and added six blocks and six rebounds to pace the Trojans, who improved to 2-0 with the win.

    The Trojans jumped ahead early, shooting 62.5 percent from the floor in the opening half to take a 43-16 halftime lead. The Trojans' defense helped force 30 Western Illinois turnovers, which led to 33 USC points in the contest.

    Tiffany Washington chipped in with 12 points and a game-high 11 rebounds, while Adrain Williams added 11 points for the Trojans.

    Western Illinois, which shot just 23.4 percent from the floor in the game, fell to 2-1 with the loss. Nikka Nhol and Meschele Darden paced Western Illinois with 10 points apiece.

    The Trojans will face the Louisiana Tech/University of San Diego winner Saturday in the championship game.



    USC 80, Western Illinois 42

    Western Illinois -- Ford 0-2 2-2 2, LaFrance 3-11 0-2 7, Nhol 5-11 0-1 10, Gosa 0-7 2-2 2, Funches 1-6 1-2 3, Bloch 1-4 0-0 3, Darden 3-11 4-7 10, Morrison 2-8 1-5 5. Totals 15-64 10-22 42.

    USC -- Jackson 0-0 2-2 2, Thompson 9-13 3-4 22, Williams 5-9 1-5 11, Clark 2-4 1-2 6, Campbell 2-4 3-6 7, Miller 1-3 4-4 6, Washington 4-5 4-7 12, Jeffery 3-3 0-0 6, Parriott 2-9 2-2 6, Lewis 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 29-52 20-32 80.

    Halftime: USC 43, Western Illinois 16. Three point field goals: Western Illinois 2-12 (LaFrance, Bloch), USC 2-7 (Thompson, Clark). Rebounds: Western Illinois 40 (Darden 7), USC 44 (Washington 11). Assists: Western Illinois 7 (Oberer 2, Bloch 2), USC 16 (Clark 5). Steals: Western Illinois 7 (Funches 3), USC 14 (Williams 4). Blocks: Western Illinois 1 (Darden), USC 9 (Thompson 6). Fouls: Western Illinois 20, USC 25. Fouled out: Nhol (WI), Miller (USC). Attendance: NA.