Nov. 26, 2000

Box Score

Los Angeles, Calif. -- Tashara Carter and Ebony Hoffman each led with 14 points as the USC women's basketball team (2-2) drove past St. Joseph's (1-2) in the second half for a 66-55 victory in front of 386 on Sunday at the Los Angeles Sports Arena.

The Hawks used an 11-2 run to gain a nine point lead on the Trojans (21-12) nearly 14 minutes into the first half. USC eventually entered the break down 32-25, beaten by a St. Joseph's 50.0 percent shooting effort and 21 to 12 advantage on the boards.

In the second half, the Women of Troy came out firing and tied the score, 35-35, following a 10-3 run. The team's matched each other point-for-point until Hoffman hit an eight-foot jumper to put USC ahead for good (45-43). The Hawks did come within one point at the 2:25 mark, but the Trojans stood strong and out-shot St. Joseph's 14-4 in the final minute.

Four Trojans tallied double digits, including Carter, Hoffman, Denise Woods (11 points) and Tennille Grant who set a career-high with 10 points. Carter led USC with 10 boards and also tied a career-high with four blocks. The Trojans shot a much improved 40.7 percent in the game but continue to struggle from three-point range (0-10).

St. Joseph's suffered after turning the ball over 25 times, despite collecting 37 boards and hitting 15-of-38 from the field in the contest. Guard Susan Moran led the Hawks with 29 points.

USC will travel to face San Diego on Saturday, Dec. 2. The game will be the first played at USD's Jenny Craig Pavilion and tip-off is set for 4 p.m.