USC
Notre Dame
USC Falls Just Short Of No. 6 Notre Dame
November 26, 2004 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 26, 2004
LOS ANGELES - Sixth-ranked Notre Dame survived a scare from the unranked USC women's basketball team before rallying for a 60-56 victory Friday night in front of 3,085 at the Sports Arena. The Irish, who trailed the Women of Troy 45-40 with eight minutes remaining, used a 10-0 run over the next four minutes to take a 50-45 lead.
With a 29-20 halftime deficit, USC used a 13-3 run to start the second half and take its first lead of the game at 33-32 following a layup by sophomore center Chloé Kerr. The Trojans (1-2) pressured the Irish (6-0), collecting four steals and forcing seven Notre Dame turnovers en route to their largest lead of the game, 45-40, at the eight-minute mark. Sophomore forward Jamie Funn contributed seven of her game-high and career-best 13 points during the run.
In the end, the Fighting Irish managed the clock well and hit 6-of-6 shots at the free throw line to ensure the victory. USC freshman Camille LeNoir hit a final half-court shot to bring the Women of Troy within four as time ran out.
Senior center Kim Gipson tied a career-high with 12 points and nine rebounds. Sophomore forward Eshaya Murphy also added 12 points in the effort.
Notre Dame's Jacqueline Batteast led with 18 points.
Both teams struggled offensively, but it was the Women of Troy's performance at the free throw line that may have been the deciding factor. USC hit 7-of-17 at the charity stripe, while UND made 18-of-24 free throw shots.
The Trojans are the first team to outrebound the Irish this season, collecting 42 boards to Notre Dame's 36.
USC returns to the court this Sunday, Nov. 28, for a 2 p.m. match-up with Harvard at the Sports Arena.
