Jordyn Jenkins Nets Double-Double; USC Women’s Basketball Shines In 79-65 Win Over Seton Hall In Cancun

CANCUN, MEXICO — The USC women's basketball team made it a winning Thanksgiving thanks to a big third-quarter surge that put Seton Hall out of reach en route to a final 79-65 Trojan victory at the Cancun Challenge today. Five Trojans hit double digits in the win, which improves USC to 4-1 overall while Seton Hall goes to 2-2. The lead changed hands six times in the first half before USC made its move in the third to diffuse the 3-point threats that the Pirates brought to the table today.

Seton Hall's 43-percent shooting from the floor in the first half was bolstered by a 7-of-14 effort from 3-point range. USC, meanwhile, landed just one three in the first half and shot 42 percent from the floor, but benefited from a 21-15 rebounding advantage and 18 points in the paint to lead it 37-36 by halftime. The lead had traded hands six times in those first 20 minutes. In the second half, USC upped its shooting percentage with help from a 17-2 rally that opened the half and put the Trojans in control. USC finished up shooting 45.9 percent from the floor and was 5-of-17 from 3-point range while dominating the boards 46-30. Seton Hall shot 35.1 percent overall and wound up 9-of-25 from 3-point land.

USC had five players finish in double digits, led by Jordyn Jenkins' first career double-double with career-highs of 18 points and 12 rebounds. Alissa Pili added 15 points, and Angel Jackson hit 14 points. Jordan Sanders continued her double-digit run with 13 points, and Alyson Miura added 10 for USC. For the Pirates, Sidney Cooks led all scorers with 21 points; Lauren Park-Lane scored 17, and Mya Benbry added 16, while Andra Espinoza-Hunter scored 10 and had nine rebounds.

Seton Hall knocked down four 3-pointers in the first 10 minutes of action to counter a widespread attack from the Trojans, who had six players on the scoresheet by the close of the first. USC had made a 6-0 rally to lead it 14-11, but would trail 22-20 entering the second quarter. After Jordyn Jenkins worked her way into double digits with her 10th points of the night, USC finally snapped its 3-point drought with a long one from Alyson Miura, whose three snarled things up 33-33 with 2:40 on the clock. Seton Hall responded with its seventh 3-pointer of the game at 2:04, but that would be the last points to fall for the Pirates in the half. USC, meanwhile, would get the go-ahead bucket from Miura as she finished off a steal with a runner to tug the Trojans ahead 37-36 for halftime. 

USC kicked down the gates of the second half and manufactured an 8-0 run to expand on its lead. The Pirates broke up the rally with a single bucket, only to see USC fire off seven straight points to craft a 54-38 lead with Alissa Pili's first 3-pointer of the day coming along the way. Seton Hall chipped into the US advantage with two late buckets, and it was a 61-49 scoreline in USC's favor entering the fourth. There, USC's hands stayed hot, as Miura and Pili buried threes around one by the Pirates. Only free throws would fall for Seton Hall while USC crafted a 75-55 lead. The Trojan advantage grew to 79-58 on buckets from Jordan Sanders and Angel Jackson with 3:15 remaining, and USC emerged with a final 79-65 win.

NOTABLE:
- With 18 points and 12 rebounds, SO Jordyn Jenkins set two new career highs and recorded the first double-double of her USC career.
- JR Alissa Pili returned to action after being sidelined with injury the past three games.
- With 13 points today, GS Jordan Sanders hit double digits for the fifth straight game.
- JR Angel Jackson scored a season-high 14 points.

NEXT: 
USC wraps its visit to the Cancun Challenge with a matchup against UCF at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday (Nov. 27).