This was a hard-fought, well-played game, as a championship game ought to be.
OSU and USC played even for about 15 minutes. Then the Beavers forged ahead a bit to a double-digit lead. They were up by seven, 36-29, at the end of the first half.
The Trojans came back for the second half all fired up (by coach Cooper, I'm sure) and took the game in hand. In two minutes of intense play, they made a short, but decisive, 7-0 run capped with a long 3-pointer by Ariya Crook that tied the score at 36-36, and then took the lead with a layup by Kiki Alofaituli.
The Trojan momentum continued for the rest of the game, and the Beavers were never able to regain the lead, although they brought the score back to a tie several times.
USC won its first-ever Pac-12 championship 71-62.
Ariya Crook was named the Most Outstanding player. Cassie Harberts (USC), Sydney Wiese (OSU), Ruth Hamblin (OSU), Lia Galdeira (WSU) and Chiney were named to the All-Tournament team.
Here are game reports and commentary:
- USC's second half surge tops Oregon State, the Pac-12 game recap
- USC Women Deliver Another Upset To Claim First Pac-12 Tournament Championship, the USC Athletics game recap
- USC Outpaces Beavers For Pac-12 Title, the OSU Athletics game recap
- Trojans' turnaround is complete b Michelle Smith (espnW)
And a gallery of photos from the Pac-12.
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