UCLA
15-4, 6-2Pac-12
USC
10-9, 1-7Pac-12
No. 13 UCLA Sweeps Season Series with USC
January 22, 2017 | Women's Basketball
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LOS ANGELES (AP) -- This rivalry game wasn't decided until the final minute, but the result was the same; another UCLA women's basketball victory over USC.
The previous matchup was vastly easier for the Bruins, but UCLA beat USC for the second time in four days, a 71-67 victory Sunday at Pauley Pavilion.
UCLA (15-4, 6-2) benefited from USC's 19 turnovers. Jordin Canada and Kennedy Burke each scored 23 points for the Bruins (Burke tied a career-high in scoring and rebounding with nine) while Monique Billings had her 12th double-double of the season, fittingly with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
"Actually, we do this thing every week where we have commitment cards," Burke said. "This week, my focus was offensive rebounding and being confident with the ball. My teammates helped me."
Burke had six of UCLA's 16 offensive rebounds, which led to an important 21-8 advantage in second-chance points. USC edged UCLA on the boards overall, 47-42.
USC (10-9, 1-7) suffered its seventh consecutive loss. Courtney Jaco led USC with 18 points, and Kristen Simon added 16 points and eight rebounds. Simon, USC's leading scorer, was back in the lineup Sunday after missing the three previous games with an injury. Billings had 28 points in the previous game, but the Trojans used a double-team with Simon that made it more difficult for Billings to score inside. Billings also got into early foul trouble and had only two points in the first half.
Jaco played against Canada for the final time in this rivalry. The two were teammates at Winward High in Los Angeles.
Afterward, Jaco and Canada both told each other they loved one another. Jaco was happier with USC's performance, even though it was another loss.
"You just get up for these games," Jaco said. "It's rivalry week."
USC and UCLA played twice this week, with UCLA winning 74-59 Wednesday at USC. The Bruins raced out to a big lead and cruised to the victory. This one was much more difficult for UCLA. The game was tied at 62 with 5:34 left, and UCLA was clinging to a 67-65 lead with 1:45 left. UCLA made four of six free throws in the final 45 seconds. Canada had an offensive rebound with 15 seconds left to secure the win.
UCLA won its fourth consecutive game and extended its home win streak to 23 games overall and 15 in a row against Pac-12 opponents, dating back to last season. The 23 consecutive wins at home rank tied for third in the nation with South Dakota in active home court winning streaks. The 15 straight Pac-12 home victories are a UCLA record.
BIG PICTURE
USC doesn't have to play UCLA again this season unless it's in the Pac-12 Tournament. The Trojans can feel more confident about playing much better against one of the best teams in the country.
UCLA is bolstered by a week of two victories over the Trojans. USC kept making runs, but UCLA always responded and found a way to win a close game, just its fourth game of the season to be decided by single digits.
STAT OF THE GAME
40: The number of minutes played by Jordin Canada, who asked for a substitute but was denied her request. Close called a timeout instead to give Canada a breather.
"Really, the answer was no," Close said with a laugh. "You can't have a sub."
UP NEXT
USC returns to the Galen Center to host Arizona and Arizona State on Friday and Sunday, respectively. The Trojans' will try to get back on track at home, where their last win came against Colorado one month ago.
UCLA will try to keep its consecutive home streak going with two more games at home, against Arizona State and Arizona. With another two wins, the Bruins could position themselves to move back into the Top 10 in the AP poll.
USC at No. 13/11 UCLA (Pac-12 Conference Game)| SCOREBOARD | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
| USC | 16 | 22 | 15 | 14 | 67 |
| #13/11 UCLA | 21 | 15 | 19 | 16 | 71 |
