Tugce Canitez put up 33 points and pulled down nine rebounds in a Westmont Women’s Basketball exhibition 77-65 defeat to the University of Southern California on Monday night.
USC (0-0) is ranked at number 23 in the NCAA Division I USA Today/ESPN Coaches Preseason Poll and the Associated Press Preseason Poll. Westmont (3-0) is the #20 team in the NAIA Division I Preseason Poll.
Canitez was 10 of 18 from the field, including one of two from beyond the arc. In addition, she made 12 of 13 attempts from the free throw line. Senior forward Lisa Peterson added another 12 points for the Warrior making four of 10 field goals and four of four from the charity stripe. Peterson also pulled down six rebounds.
The Warriors played the Trojans close in the first half and held a 27-24 lead with 3:32 to go before intermission. However, USC exploded for a 9-0 run to go ahead 33-27. Peterson hit two free throws to bring the Warriors to within four points before the Trojans closed out the opening frame on a 6-2 run -producing a 39-31 halftime score.
Twice in the second half, the Warriors closed to within three points. With 16:11 showing on the clock, Peterson knocked down a jumper to make it 45-42. Then with 12:39 to go, Kelsie Sampson (4 points, 5 rebounds) sank a two-pointer to make it 47-44.
After USC responded with a 13-7 run to take a 60-51 lead, Westmont once more whittled away at the Trojan advantage. Canitez nailed two free throws, then was fouled on a layup and converted the and-one play to make the score 60-56 with 6:24 remaining in regulation.
However, USC scored 10 of the next 12 points to gain a 70-58 lead, which proved to be the final margin of victory.
The Warriors take the court again in one week when they travel to Oceanside to take on the Cougars of Cal State San Marcos on Monday, November 14. The game will be played on the campus of Mira Costa College with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
