Los Angeles – Sadie Edwards found herself in an unfamiliar spot Sunday. After picking up her second foul in the first quarter, the USC starting guard knew she was headed to the bench – a spot she had not seen much of all season.
But she didn’t stay there long.
“My head coach and all the assistant coaches trusted me to go back in in that second quarter and I was able to make some plays,” said Edwards, who went on to lead the Trojans with 23 points in their 78-52 win over the visiting Arizona Wildcats.
USC coach Mark Trakh said the senior’s performance was an extension of her performance in Friday’s upset of the No. 24 Sun Devils.
“Sadie really came on in the fourth quarter against Arizona State, and that carried over to this game,” Trakh said.
Edwards had plenty of assistance in the scoring column, as the rest of the Trojan starting five were also in double figures, shooting 49 percent from the field and 41 percent from the three-point line. Minyon Moore scored 15 points, Kristen Simon had 13, and Aliyah Mazcyk and Jordan Adams each had 10. Moore was just shy of a triple-double, with nine assists and eight rebounds.
The game was only tied once in the opening minute of the first quarter, as USC was able to capitalize on a poor shooting night from the Wildcats.
Arizona shot just 31 percent from the field in the first half, allowing the Trojans to distance themselves early and generate a 24-point lead heading into halftime before stretching it out to 34 in the final minutes of the third quarter.
“We’re taking good shots, we’re playing good defense. The kids are together. I’m excited because the kids are excited right now,” Trakh said. “I’m really proud of the kids. We’ve got 17 wins now and I’m really happy with the way they’ve come together.”
Sam Thomas was the lone Arizona player in double figures, with 22 points.
USC hits the road this week, and will take on Oregon Friday and Oregon State Sunday. The Arizona schools return home to play their in-state rivalry.