Cazorla leads No.9 Oregon women over USC, 70-66

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Maite Cazorla hit a tie-breaking 3-pointer with 1:32 left and had 18 points to lead No. 9 Oregon over Southern California 70-66 on Friday night.

The Ducks (14-2, 3-0 Pac-12) also got 16 points from Sabrina Ionescu, who was 9 of 10 from the free-throw line. Cazorla added six assists.

The Trojans (10-4, 0-3) were led by Aliyah Mazyck’s 21 points. USC’s leading scorer Kristen Simon was scoreless in the first half but finished with 18 points and eight rebounds.

It was the lowest scoring game of the season for the Ducks. They started the night averaging 89.2 points per game, fourth most in the country.

USC trailed for most of the game but overcame a 10-point deficit to tie it at 62 with 1:52 to play.

Cazorla hit her 3 to make it 65-62, and Oregon led the rest of the way.

Oregon had to overcome a dismal first quarter, hitting 2 of 14 shots and turning the ball over 10 times. USC also struggled and led only 14-7 at the end of the quarter.

BIG PICTURE

Oregon: The Ducks will carry their perfect Pac-12 record into Pauley Pavilion in an early conference showdown with No. 14 UCLA, the preseason conference favorite.

USC: After going a strong 10-1 in the preseason, the Trojans are still looking for their first conference win.

UP NEXT

Oregon: Travels across town to play at UCLA on Sunday.

USC: Remains at home on Sunday to play No.16 Oregon State.