2009 State Farm Pac-10 Tournament

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LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- After 10 hours today as four games where played, 478 points were scored, 123 fouls were committed, zero overtimes were needed and 80 minutes of playing time were recorded, the end of the second day of the 2009 Pac-10 Women's Basketball Tournament has been reached.

Yet no mater what the numbers are, the college basketball gods have smiled on No. 6 seed USC, No. 2 seed California, No. 1 seed Stanfordand No. 4 seed UCLA as these four teams have been assured of playing at least one more game tomorrow during the semifinal games.

The excitement today started with at least one more upset being recorded when USC defeated Arizona State. From there Stanford and California demonstrate why they are nationally ranked programs in easily beating Arizona and Washington respetively. In the end it was UCLA who used a late game rally and having a freshman record a breakout game against Oregon State to finish the day.

With so much activity today, things are expected to be exciting when day three of the tournament sees California meet up against USC in the 6 pm game and then Stanford take on UCLA n the 8:30 pm game. Both games will be broadcast on FOX Sports Net.

Until then, the lights have gone dim and with visions of basketballs dancing in our heads, it's time to say good-night from the Galen Center.

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LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- No more upsets tonight! After No. 4 seed UCLA established a late-game lead, the Bruins never gave up and held on to beat No. 5 seed Oregon State with a 62-56 final score.

Leading scorer for UCLA was freshman Atonye Nyingifa with 18 points and 10 boards. Doreena Campbell and Darexia Morris were close behind with 10 points a piece. Oregon State was led by Brittney Davis' 22 points and Talisa Rhea chipped in with 11 points of her own.

UCLA will advance to play No. 1 seed Stanford in tomorrow night's 8:30 pm semifinal game

More to come after the post-game press conference.

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LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- There are less than three minutes left and it looks like UCLA is not going to see a repeat of their last regular season game. Instead, the Bruins, who had the second shortest travel time to the Galen Center for this weekend's games, have jumped out to a three-point lead.

Stay tuned as there is still plenty of time for things to happen.

UCLA 55

Oregon State 52

2:00

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LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Big shift in momentum here at the Galen Center. UCLA just tied up the score with 9:29 left to play. It was just last week on March 7 when these two teams met in the final regular season game with Oregon State squeeking out a 61-58 win.

Stay tuned!

UCLA 41

Oregon State 41

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LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Halftime has come and gone and Oregon State refuses to let go of their lead.

The Beavers -- who were paced by Brittney Davis' 15 points in the first half -- are trying to send UCLA home (approximately 15 minutes away) early this weekend.

Stay tuned!

UCLA 25

Oregon State 25

16:18 left in the game.

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LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- We are more than halfway through the first half an it's still a close game. Neither team is willing to give an inch which has resulted in a time score.

Stay tuned!

UCLA 12

Oregon State 12

7:52 left in the half

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LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- It's time for the prime time game as No. 4 seed UCLA (18-11, 9-9)Bruins play No. 5 seed Oregon State (19-10, 9-9) Beavers in today's last game of the day.

After the Beavers -- as represented by mascot Benny Beaver to my left -- took an earl 5-2 lead in the first five minutes, the Bruins have responded by taking a slight lead of their own as I have been typing this entry.

Both teams finished with identical records during the regular season and split games with each other.

Stay tuned as this looks like it is going to be a close game.

UCLA 8

Oregon State 5

13:23 left in the half

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LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Junior Jayne Appel from Stanford is a lean and mean playing machine. If you doubt this, just take a look at this 6-4 center who shed the same amount of pounds as she has been averaging in points this year.

"I think it has been about 15 pounds," said Appel. "It was a big focus of mine over the summer where before I left for the summer I tol the coaches I wanted to run the floor better so I focused on what I was eating and after going to rehabilitation for three hours every day, I would go workout for another two hours."

With already expending a lot of calories by just working out it is easy to assume that Appel would be able to lose the weight pretty easily. However even she confesses that she needed a little extra help with her diet.

"I did a little bit of Weight Watchers, but it was just working out a lot," said Appel.

Whatever it was, it has been paying off for Appel this season.

"It's been a big difference as I am running the floor a lot better, am a lot quicker and I don't get tired as quicker."

Even though a woman never likes to be asked about her weight, Appel takes some pride in people recognizing her hard work.

"It's something that was a persona goal of mine and focused on over the summer," said Appel. "Plus it was something for my sport so I don't take it as a jab at all. I am proud of what I did."

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LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Stanford just finished rolling over Arizona with a final score of 77-46. The Cardinal will take on the winner of tonight's next and final game between No. 4 seed UCLA and No. 5 seed Oregon State.

Stay tuned, more after the post-game press confernce

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LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Stanford keeps rolling along in this third game of today as the UCLA team just entered the Galen Center enjoying a few moments of relaxation before they play in the 7:15 pm game.

Observations fom the stands include the Oregon State bad in the northeastern corner of the stands and there are some USC fans still lingering in the crowd.

Stay tuned.

Stanford 51

Arizona 30

11:07 left to play

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LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- It's halftime and while both teams are taking a break in their respective locker rooms, we've just seen one of the best halftime entertainments in a long time.

There was a dance off with all men competing. The difference is that the last male participant was a toddler wearing a Stanford basketball t-shirt who stole the show. He was absolutely adorable and even though he was not happy when his mom took his pacifier out, he semed to find great delight and comfort in Wilma Wildcat.

Leading all scorers for Stanford is Jeanette Pohlen with 14 points and four rebounds. Meanwhile Arizona is being paced by Ashley Frazier and her seven points.

Stay tuned, the second half is about to start.

Stanford 37

Arizona 16

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LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Stanford's farm looks to be churing out another amazing player. This time it is 5-foot-8 freshman guard Lindy La Rocque. Not only is she starting for the Cardinal, but she almost just hit an NBA distance three-pointer. She is quite a work horse and is unconcious from EVERYWHERE. I think she has gotten in every Arizona player's face tonight and is relentless. La Rocque may only have nine points, but I think she is responsible for most of Arizona's nine turnovers in this first half.

With as good as La Rocque is, kudos belong to the Arizona team. They know they are out-matched in this game, but they are feisty and giving Stanford's big middle Jayne Appel a fit tonigt.

Stay tuned, more of The Rock and this game to come.

Stanford 37

Arizona 14

27 seconds left in the half.

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LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- In the battle of the pep bands in this game Stanford may have the edge. With their flared-out hats and drum major sporting fuzzy dice on his staff, they get some serious style points.

However if you are more of a traditionalists, then it is the Aizona band that gets extra points as they ar all wearing the same red and white horizontally stripped shirts and blue pants. Also, their drum major is just a little bit more serious looking with his sport coat and tie.

Between the entertainment from the two bands and what is taking place on the court as Stanford is keeping Arizona on their toes, it's a pretty entertaining game.

Stay tuned!

Stanford 14

Arizona 7

11:16 left in the first half.

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LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- It's game time once again as the No. 1 seed Stanford (26-4, 17-1) faces off against No. 9 Arizona (12-18, 4-14). As fans slowly trickle in, the line ups are being announced and the bands are ready and it's another two mascot game.

To my left is Wilma Wildcat with te Arizona band and to my right is the Stanford tree shaking its leaves. 

Stanford is considered the home team for this game and got the ball and a quick three points on the board in their first possession. Meanwhile Arizona's Courtney Clements shoots an air-ball in her team's first attempt.

Stay tuned!

Stanford 3 

Arizona 0

18:45 to play

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LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Unlike the first game that came down to the wire, this game was over in the first few minutes as California dashed Washington's upset dreams with a 61-41 victory.

The Golden Bears took control of the game from the opening tip and never seemed to look back as they swept Washington for the season and advance into tomorrow night's semifinal game against No. 6 seed USC.

While it wasn't the most lop-sided victory for California over Washington this year, it certainly was not a good way for Washington to finish the season.

Leading the Golden Bears was Ashley Walker with a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds followed by Devanei Hampton who finised with nine points and four rebounds. All but one California player scored in this game to make it a balanced attack.

Washington's stellar sixth woman Laura McLellan led the Huskies with 10 points and two boards and was follwed by Heidi McNeill's seven points and four rebounds.

Off to the post game press conference to see if there are any notable quotables to share.

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LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- One more team is about to have their weekend in Los Angeles be over with but with plenty of daylight still to be enjoyed, it makes one wonder what the teams who go home today are doing with the rest of their day. Here are a couple of ideas that some of the seniors in the conference had:

Arizona State's Lauren Lacey - I would be celebrity stalking. I have a weird obsession with celebrities where I know all the facts about their lives, read all of the celebrity magazines and know all of the gossip. I would be with the paparazzi trying to follow them. In particular, I would want to follow Beyonce. I don't have any of the `star maps' but I would make that purchase if I had the time.

Arizona's Sarah Hays - I would definitely go to Santa Monica Beach because of the pier. I would rather stay posted on the beach, but you never know as I may go on the Ferris wheel on the pier.

Washinton's Heidi McNeill - I would definitely be at Staples Center watching our men's team play, it's exciting with them being first in the Pac-10. I think I'd also find some beach time and go to Santa Monica or the pier.

Stay tuned.

California 58

Washington 31

3:44 left to play

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LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- There's still 10 minutes left, but California is showing no signs of letting up as the Golden Bears are putting an end to the upsets that have dominated the tournament so far.

With a 44-23 lead with 11:23 left in the game, California is living up to its reputation as one of the most dominating teams in the conference.

Stay tuned!

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LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- California's pace may have slowed down a bit since the last entry, but their lead looks pretty safe right now. The Golden Bears have shown their teeth in this first half and not showing any signs of slowing down.

California's Walker continues to lead with he 12 points and four rebounds with teammate Devanei Hampton not too far behind with eight points and three rebounds.

Washington is paced by sixth woman Laura McLellan and her four points.

The crowd for the second game is much more tame than in the first, but with neither school being local and it is the middle of the afternoon on a weekday, it's cool to see the faithful out in full ofrce.

Stay tuned!

California 31

Washington 17

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LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Cal continues to dominate in their first game of the tournament today. The Golden Bears are shooting 66.7% from both the field and charity line why Washington is struggling with a mere 26.3% field goal percentage from the field.

Stay tuned.

California 26

Washington 12

6:17 left in the first half.

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LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- It's time for the second game of today as No. 2 seed California (24-5, 15-3) squares off against No. 10 seed Washington (8-21, 3-15). Cal, who is also ranked No. 12 in the country by the WBCA, has jumped out to an early lead in the first half.

California's Ashley Walker is already pacing Cal with her 10 points and three rebounds.

Both schols are fighting to stay alive in this tournament, but with the early lead and after Cal easily beat Washington in both regular season games, Washington has an up hill battle on their hands.

Stay tuned

Calfornia 20

Washington 10

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Game Four Links: GameTracker,  California Radio, Watch Game Live

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- After losing during both regular season meetings against Arizona State this season, USC won when it counted and lives to see tomorrow in this tournament. However, even though USC's coach Mark Trakh doesn't believe in superstitions (he mentioned in the post-game press conference that he was once given a lucky rabbit's foot and asked the guy what was so lucky about it since the rabbit had it cut off), after today Trakh may do a few things differently.

"We may be switching benches after today and the women's volleyball locker room may become ours as well," said Trakh about how his team being the visiting team instead of the home team may have helped them get the win.

With the morning game, two of the USC players confessed that they didn't even realize what the date was on the calendar, but considering that USC's program has been plagued with injuries for at least the last three years, Trakh may start scheduling games whenever he can on a Friday the 13th.

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LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- It's freaky Friday time if you are an Arizona State fan. Yes, holding true to last night's trend here at the Galen Center, No. 6 seed USC just knocked off No. 3 seed Arizona State 70-65.

USC advances to play the winner of the next game.

Stay tuned, more to come after the post-game press conference.

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LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- It's two-minute drill time as we have less than two minutes to play and with both teams wanting to play again tomorrow, it's all about survival of the fittest right now. USC has a slight lead and is trying to mak the most out of the 30-second lock by slowing the game down. Helping USC's cause is a foul us called on Arizona State's Briann January that has sent USC's Camille LeNoir to the charity stripe.

With both school having the same colors of cardinal and gold, the winner not only gets to advance tomorrow, but  think they should get ownership rights of the colors until their next meeting.

Meanwhile Arizona State is trying to get possession back of the ball and trying to foul whichever USC player gets thir hands on the ball.

Stay tuned.

Arizona State 62

USC 67

53 seconds left

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LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Some players you just can't keep couped up. That's definitely true of USC freshman Ashley Corral who is finding ways to score all over the floor. Whether she is out on the perimeter or ventures inside to face the big women down low, Corral is unconscious at times in how she will shoot from any where at any time.

Stay tuned, this is coming down to the wire.

Arizona State 58

USC 63

4:22 left to play

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LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- What a devil of a time! This may be one of the thoughts running through the mind of the USC bench right now as Arizona State is creeping back into this game. The Sun Devils are starting to capitalize on USC's turnovers, poor rebounding and playing out-of-control at times.

USC is firing back by utilizing more of an outside game by continuing to launch some bombs from the perimeter. However, Arizona State is controlling the boards with 22 rebounds as opposed to USC's 19.

Also, in case you have forgotten, basketball is a full contact sport. If you have any questions just ask the Arizona State team members who play with mouthpieces. Yes, no longer are mouthpieces part of the playing equipment for football, but also women's basketball.

Stay tuned!

Arizona State 41

USC 50

12:12 left to play

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LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- It's halftime and USC is holding onto a slight lead.

Leading the way for the Women of Troy is Camille LeNoir with 11 points and followed by a balanced scoring effort by the rest of the team.

Arizona State is paced by Lauren Lacey who is about to hit the double-digit mark with her nine points.

USC has been able to hold onto their lead due to confident shooting and not being afraid to take a shot. Arizona State is having problems getting their shots to fall.

Stay tuned!

Arizona State 28

USC 34

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LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- If you looked at the calendar this morning you would have noticed that not only is it Friday (TGIF!) but it is also Friday the 13th. Yup, it's a day when all of the supersitions come out and weird things can happen.

Arizona State is currently feeling the effects of a Friday the 13th as USC is playing a great game and running away with a solid lead to prove it. The Women of Troy are shooting 57.9% while Arizona State can't get the lid off the hoop with a dismal 27.3% shooting percentage from the field. From three-point land the Women of Troy are also dominating with a 50% shooting percentage as compared to Arizona State's 16.7% shooting effort. 

USC is huffing and puffing a little bit, but they are not letting up. Instead USC is going after everything. USC coach Mark Trakh is wearing a yellow tie with a blue and white stripped shirt, which around Los Angeles are known as UCLA colors. However with his team up right now, maybe he is using some reverse psychology to fire his team up.

Stay tuned!

Arizona State 17

USC 25

4:17 left in the half

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LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Her name is Earl. That's right, Arizona State's Alex Earl has just checked into the game for her first appearance today. Earl is a 5-foot-10 freshman guard who decided to leave the rainy weather in Beaverton, Ore., and head to one of the two hottest spots in the Pac-10 at Arizona State.

Meanwhile USC is fighting back and has taken a 19-11 lead here in the first half. The Trojans are playing like they don't want to just watch games for the next two days.

Stay tuned!

Arizona State 11

USC 19

9:39 left in the first half

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LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- We are getting ready to start, but it's never too late to start the fun facts for the game.

First off on the Arizona State side, starting senior guard Briann January (12.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg and 4.7 apg) will not be wearing her usual No. 20 jersey. Instead, she is wearing No. 1 in honor of injured teammate Dymond Simon. Simon is on the bench in her warm-ups and moving around with the assistance of crutches after sustaining a season ending knee injury on March 7. This is Simon's second knee injury in three years.

On USC's side, the team is playing with a relatively healthy roster today as they are only down two players for this game insted of four, which is how they started the season.

Stay tuned, we are about to start!

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ANGELES, Calif. -- We are getting ready to start, but it's never too late to start the fun facts for the game.

First off on the Arizona State side, starting senior guard Briann January (12.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg and 4.7 apg) will not be wearing her usual No. 20 jersey. Instead, she is wearing No. 1 in honor of injured teammate Dymond Simon. Simon is on the bench in her warm-ups and moving around with the assistance of crutches after sustaining a season ending knee injury on March 7. This is Simon's second knee injury in three years.

On USC's side, the team is playing with a relatively healthy roster today as they are only down two players for this game insted of four, which is how they started the season.

Stay tuned, we are about to start!

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LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Welcome to day two of the 2009 Pac-10 Women's Basketball Tournament! We are less thn 30 minutes away from the opening tip and while the teams have yet to start their warm-ups, both Arizona State's and USC's pep bands are making sure everyone is wide awake on this Friday the 13th.

Today's first game features the No. 3 seed Arizona State (23-7, 15-3) against the host school and No. 6 seed USC (15-14, 9-9).

USC may be the host school this weekend, but for today's game the Women of Troy are the visiting team.

Stay tuned, more to come with tip-off at 11 am.

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Game Three Links: GameTracker,  Arizona State Radio, USC Radio, Watch the Game Live.