Feb. 4, 2006
Listen to Post-Game Press Conference - Courtesy SunDevilSportsNetwork.com
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) - Emily Westerberg matched her career high with 26 points and No. 18 Arizona State pulled away in the final 8 minutes to beat Southern California 79-72 on Saturday.
The Sun Devils (18-5, 9-4) took sole possession of second place in the Pac-10 with the win. No. 15 Stanford has a two-game lead over Arizona State and a three-game advantage over USC.
Westerberg scored eight points in a 17-6 run that put the Sun Devils ahead 65-54 on a layup from Amy Denson, who finished with 16 points.
Eshaya Murphy hit a 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer to put USC ahead 35-31 at the break.
Murphy had 20 points and 12 rebounds for USC (14-8, 8-5), which placed four players in double figures. Meghan Gnekow and Camille Lenoir had 14 points apiece and Chloe Kerr added 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Westerberg matched the career best she set against Oregon on Jan. 22 of last year. She was 9-for-14 from the field, 2-of-3 on 3-pointers.
The Sun Devils swept UCLA and USC at home after losing to both on the road earlier this season.
ASU shot out to a 16-4 lead, then USC went on a 19-6 run to go ahead 23-22 on two free throws by Murphy with 7:04 left in the first half.
There were seven lead changes and six ties in the first 12 minutes of the second half. It was tied at 48 with 8:09 to go, then Arizona State went on its decisive run.