Berkeley, CA (Sports Network) - Gennifer Brandon had 22 points, including the
game-tying jumper late in the fourth quarter to force overtime, and 26
rebounds as No. 7 California rallied past Southern California, 71-63, at Haas
Pavilion.
Layshia Clarendon dropped in a game-high 27 points for the Golden Bears (14-2,
4-1 Pac-12), who have won two straight and eight of their last nine.
Ariya Crook paced Southern California (7-9, 4-1) with 21 points, while Cassie
Harberts followed with 15 and Kate Oliver posted a double-double with 10
points and 10 rebounds as the Trojans saw their four-game win streak come to
an end.
California carried a 36-31 advantage into the second half after a hard-fought
opening 20 minutes that saw six lead changes and six ties.
The Golden Bears maintained their lead through the opening minutes of the
second half until a Crook 3-pointer sparked an 11-0 run to put USC ahead,
46-41, with 12:46 to play in regulation.
A pair of Brandon foul shots brought Cal within 62-60 with about a minute to
play. Crook missed a jumper and then failed to connect on a pair of foul shots
at the other end to keep it a two-point game.
Coming out of a timeout with 26 seconds left, Brandon grabbed the offensive
rebound of a Clarendon miss and sank the game-tying jumper to force overtime.
The Golden Bears then dominated to extra period, outscoring USC by a 9-1
margin to snap a three-game losing streak against the Trojans.
The Sports Network