Turnover-plagued USC falls to Ohio State, 77-58

USC had a plan to stop Jessica Davenport, so the Ohio State Buckeyes decided to share the load.

Davenport scored 26 points and Brandie Hoskins had 17 to lead No. 7 Ohio State past No. 19 USC, 77-58, on Sunday at Columbus, Ohio.

Davenport, a first-team All-American center and Big Ten player of the year the last two years, made nine of 14 shots from the field and all eight of her free throws. She also had six rebounds and four assists.

“With all the attention we gave Davenport, I still thought she had a good game,” USC Coach Mark Trakh said. “And the other kids played well around her.”

Hoskins ruptured her right Achilles’ tendon in the Buckeyes’ NCAA tournament loss last season and went through lengthy rehabilitation. Besides her points, she had seven assists and five steals for Ohio State (2-0) in its home debut.

“I feel really good,” she said. “I’m just happy to be playing.”

Star Allen scored 12 points and freshman point guard Maria Moeller had 10 points, four assists and six steals for the Buckeyes.

Chloe Kerr scored 20 points and had nine rebounds and Shay Murphy had 19 points and 11 rebounds for USC (1-2).

The Trojans were coming off a 67-63 upset loss at South Dakota State on Friday night. In that game, the team had 25 turnovers, shot 33% from the field and was called for 36 fouls.

Turnovers also were the Trojans’ undoing against the Buckeyes. They were behind 35-24 after turning the ball over 16 times before the half; they had 22 turnovers in the game.

Loyola Marymount 83, Cal State Bakersfield 75 -- Matthew Knight scored 26 points and had 16 rebounds and Brandon Worthy had 19 points to lead the Lions at Gersten Pavilion.

Knight and Worthy combined to score the Lions’ first 15 points of the second half, propelling Loyola Marymount (3-1) to a 53-37 lead with 13:21 remaining.

The Roadrunners rallied and cut the Lions’ lead to 78-71 with 1:01 left on Dwan Rice’s basket, but Cal State Bakersfield couldn’t close the gap any further.

The Lions outrebounded Cal State Bakersfield, 46-35. Richard Andrews, who fouled out with 1:39 left in the game, led the Roadrunners (0-3) with 19 points.