Dec. 31, 2010

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PULLMAN, Wash. - Briana Gilbreath scored 15 points to lead four Trojan players in double figures as USC defeated Washington State 72-57 in the Pacific-10 Conference opener for both teams Friday afternoon at Beasley Coliseum.

Ireti Amojo scored a career-high 14 points to lead the Cougars while Hana Potter added 10. Gilbreath added nine rebounds to pace USC (9-3, 1-0), while Jacki Gemelos added 15 points and Cassie Harbets finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Washington State (2-11, 0-1) held an early lead at 8-4 following Amojo's three-pointer just over four minutes into the contest. The teams traded baskets during the first 15 minutes and WSU pulled within two at 24-22 with 5:30 remaining after a Carly Noyes layup. USC scored the final 11 points of the half to take a 35-22 lead heading into the second half.

The Cougars cut the lead to eight on several occasions in the second but drew no closer. Amojo's three-pointer, one of four of the afternoon for her, cut the lead to 46-38, before the Trojans went on 10-2 run over the next three minutes for a 16-point lead. USC held its biggest lead of the game at 71-48 with just over three minutes remaining.

For the game WSU grabbed a season-high 48 rebounds, 18 on the offensive end, and posted a season-best 14 steals. Sophomore Katie Grad pulled down a season-high seven rebounds to lead the team in that category along with junior Jazmine Perkins.

The Cougars conclude their Pac-10 opening-weekend Sunday against No. 9 UCLA. Gametime is 1 p.m. at Beasley Coliseum.