WOMEN’S BASKETBALL : Leslie Dominates in Leading USC to Victory Over Arizona

Lisa Leslie spearheaded USC’s 85-63 victory over Arizona on Sunday before 920 at the Lyon Center, the Trojans’ 12th Pacific 10 Conference victory and 18th overall.

Playing 32 minutes, the 6-foot-5 Leslie had 32 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and three steals as USC won its second in a row since a 63-55 loss at Washington last week.

Coach Cheryl Miller’s team, ranked seventh, maintained a two-game conference lead over Stanford and Oregon, each 9-3.

USC and Arizona entered the game without key athletes. Trojan point guard Nicky McCrimmon returned to Los Angeles at midday Sunday, after attending her mother’s funeral in New York. Arizona (5-7) lost leading scorer Shawn Coder to a season-ending knee injury last week. And Coach Joan Bonvicini suspended starting guard Brenda Pantoja for breaking a team rule Saturday night.

USC gained a 29-10 lead early, with Leslie and freshman Tina Thompson leading the way.

Karleen Shields gave the Trojans a 38-17 lead in the first half on Leslie’s sensational assist.

USC lost much of a 47-31 halftime lead because of some sloppy passing, but Arizona could get no closer than nine points.

The Trojans buried the Wildcats with a 13-0 run near the game’s end, with Leslie and Thompson each scoring nine.