Women's Basketball
    Women Of Troy Use Second Half Run To Beat New Mexico, 55-48
    Ebony Hoffman led USC with 18 points and a career-high seven steals.
    USC forced 31 New Mexico turnovers and collected 18 steals en route to Saturday's 55-48 victory.
    USC forced 31 New Mexico turnovers and collected 18 steals en route to Saturday's 55-48 victory.

    Nov. 23, 2002

    Box Score

    LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Ebony Hoffman posted 18 points and a career high seven steals as the USC women's basketball defeated New Mexico, 55-48, in a defensive showdown on Saturday afternoon at the Sports Arena. With the win, the Women of Troy improve to 3-1 this season, while the Lobos start their season with a loss (0-1).

    USC took advantage of 31 New Mexico turnovers, including 11 in the final 10 minutes of the game, to take the its final lead. Back-to-back three-pointers by junior Jessica Cheeks and freshman Meghan Gnekow put the Women of Troy up, 45-43, with 3:14 left in the game. USC controlled the momentum from that point on, hitting 6-of-6 free throws down the stretch to secure the win.

    The Lobos led the entire first half and entered the break ahead 20-19. Six minutes into the second half, New Mexico used its own 14-3 run to seemingly take control of the game with a six-point advantage, 34-28, at the 12:15 mark.

    The first half was not pretty as the two teams battled back and forth. USC shot a dismal 26.9 percent from the field but the Lobos, able to string together some points, outshot the Trojans for the first-half lead.

    USC shot a much-improved 48.1 percent from the field in the second half. The Trojans collected 17 steals in the game, but were outrebounded by the Lobos, 32-30.

    New Mexico's Jordan Adams led all scorers with 21 points. Hoffman led USC with 18 points, while Cheeks added 15 and sophomore Rachel Woodward contributed 11 points.

    USC will have a week off before facing a ranked Notre Dame squad on Friday, Nov. 29, at 7 p.m. at the Sports Arena.