The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
3-2
USC
2-3
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 27 | 27 | 54 |
| Southern California | 29 | 32 | 61 |
USC downs No. 13 Women's Basketball, 61-54
11.27.2009 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 27, 2009
ST. THOMAS, Virgin Islands -- Junior guard Kathleen Nash scored a game-high 17 points (5-of-13 FG, 4-of-6 3FG, 3-of-4 FT) and senior guard Brittainey Raven added 15 more (6-of-10 FG, 1-of-4 3FG, 2-of-3 FT), but it wasn't enough for No. 13 Texas Women's Basketball to overcome Southern California on Friday night in the Paradise Jam. USC (2-3) claimed a 61-54 upset to hand Texas (3-2) its second loss of the season.
The Women of Troy shot 46.2 percent (24-of-52) from the field, while the Longhorns were 18-of-59 for 30.5 percent.
"We called about every play we had tonight, but it's tough to make anything happen when your shots aren't falling," Texas head coach Gail Goestenkors said.
USC began the second half on a 11-4 run for a 40-31 lead with 13:36 remaining. Texas trailed by as many as 14 points at the midway point in the second half, but Nash hit three 3-point baskets in a two-minute span to bring UT within four, 55-51, with 3:06 remaining. The Longhorns could not overcome the Women of Troy down the stretch as they hit three-consecutive layups to put the game away.
"I was proud of the effort we showed at the end, but it was too little, too late," Goestenkors added. "USC did a nice job of switching on screens, and they got some open shots on our guards at the end and took advantage of them."
Down seven points with 1:14 remaining in the first half, Kathleen Nash put UT back in the game with a pair of free throws and a 3-point basket to trim USC's margin to 27-25. Raven tied the game with two foul shots at the 12-second mark, but she fouled the Trojans' Ashley Corral with three seconds remaining and Corral's points from the charity stripe gave them a 29-27 halftime advantage.
UT led by as many as six points midway through the half, but USC's defense held Texas without a field goal for a nine-minute stretch while climbing to a 27-20 lead. The Longhorns were 8-of-27 (.296) from the field in the opening half, including 2-of-10 from 3-point range.
Nash also led UT on the boards with seven, and sophomore post Ashley Gayle and freshman post Cokie Reed pulled down five each. Fontenette led the Horns with four assists.
USC had four players in double figures, with Briana Gilbreath contributing a team-high 13 points. Aarika Hughes and Kari LaPlante had 12 each, and Heather Oliver added 10.
Texas will conclude the Paradise Jam Saturday evening with a 7 p.m. CT contest against Rutgers.
