Southern Cal hopes to rekindle NCAA magic on familiar terrain
3/16/2006 8:49 PM
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Southern Cal returns to the site of its first-ever NCAA Women's tournament title Sunday when it plays South Florida in the first round of the Bridgeport Regional at the Ted Constant Convocation Center in Norfolk, Va.
In 1983, the eighth-seeded Women of Troy (18-11) were led by women's hoops great Cheryl Miller and won the first of their back-to-back NCAA titles in Norfolk.
This time, Southern California is making its second straight appearance in the field of 64. The Women of Troy finished fourth in the Pac-10 and reached the semifinals of their conference tournament.
``I'm really happy and proud that we earned an eight seed,'' USC coach Mark Trakh said. ``The team is really excited. With all the injuries and where we've been, it's a real testament to the kids. I think it shows a lot of respect for our program.''
Eshaya Murphy leads the Women of Troy, averaging 17.7 points and scoring double figures in 23 consecutive games. Last year, Southern Cal - in its 14th NCAA Women's tournament overall - reached the second round and lost to tournament runner-up Michigan State.
Senior team captain Meghan Gnekow called last season's tourney experience the ``best time I've ever had playing basketball.'' But Murphy describes their next game as far from easy.
``South Florida is a good team,'' she said. ``They lost to Rutgers by one and beat Notre Dame in overtime. We have our work cut out for us.''
The ninth-seeded Bulls (19-11) are making their first-ever NCAA tournament appearance after finishing tied for sixth in the 16-team Big East. South Florida is led by Jessica Dickson, who ranks third among NCAA tournament players with a scoring average of 22.1 points.
Guards Andrea Gilmore (13.0 ppg) and Shanita Grace (10.1 ppg) also average in double figures for the Bulls, who have six players averaging at least 7.1 points.
South Florida is one of seven Big East teams in the field of 64 and a win would give the program its second straight 20-win season.
The winner will play either top-seeded Duke or No. 16 Southern in the second round Tuesday.
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