USC defeats Utah on Valentine’s Day behind strong second half

After scraping by with a one-point win over Utah on Jan. 8, USC women’s basketball entered Sunday’s rematch ready to battle. With a strong second half, the Trojans earned the 66-49 victory, bringing them to 10-8 on the season and 8-7 in the Pac-12.

Sophomore guards Endyia Rogers and redshirt Shalexxus Aaron spearheaded the Trojans’ offense, scoring 17 and 16 points respectively.

In addition to her efficient 8-of-16 shooting from the field, Rogers filled the stat sheet with a team-high seven rebounds and a game-high seven assists. Aaron torched the Utes from beyond the arc, going 4-for-7 from 3-point range, and used an 83-second span in the fourth quarter to outscore Utah’s entire final frame by herself. She alone scored 10 points in the time span, while Utah only added seven points to close the game.

The first half of this match looked to favor the Utes. USC didn’t draw a single free-throw attempt, while Utah added 10 good free-throws in the first half alone.

The Utes were also shooting better from the field, as sophomore guard Brynna Maxwell and junior guard/forward Niyah Becker established themselves early by combining for 22 of the Utes’ 33 first half points, with Utah taking a 33-29 lead into halftime.

The game completely changed in the second half. USC found its identity on defense, translating defensive stops into fast break points. Not only did the Trojans force nine Utah turnovers in the third quarter, but they held the Utes completely scoreless for the first five minutes of the quarter. This is the exact momentum head coach Mark Trakh wanted to see.

“[Sophomore guard] Kyra [White], [graduate forward] Jordan Sanders and [junior guard Desiree Caldwell] did a great job defensively,” Trakh said.

USC began and ended the second half in superior fashion. The Trojans began the half on a 11-0 scoring run and ended the game on a 15-0 run.

Sophomores forward Alissa Pili and guard Alyson Miura each stood out during these stretches. Miura capitalized in transition with timely 3-pointers, and Pili recorded five steals in addition to a highlight-reel defensive save that continued the Trojans’ prowess in the final quarter.

Entering the game, Trakh knew USC’s defense could be the difference maker.

“We always go down to the wire [against Utah],” he said. “They’re very well coached and tough to guard.”

This season, the Trojans are 8-3 when they hold their opponent below 70 points, and they possess the second-highest 3-point percentage in the Pac-12 at 36%. Today, USC shot 45% from the 3-point line and only allowed Utah to score 49 points, which is the lowest they’ve held an opponent this season.

USC will look to carry the success from this performance into its matchup with Oregon State Friday at Galen Center at 2:30 p.m.