WOMEN’S BASKETBALL : Easterly Has 22 to Lead Trojans

Joni Easterly scored 16 of her game-high 22 points in the first half and No. 15-ranked USC cruised past unranked Oregon State, 82-57, in a Pacific 10 Conference game Thursday night at the Lyon Center.

The Trojans, 9-2 overall and 3-0 in the Pac-10, were trailing, 12-9, before going on an 11-0 run midway through the first half. USC led, 38-24 at halftime and was never threatened.

Lisa Leslie had 15 points and a game-high eight rebounds for the Trojans, who are off to their best start since they went to the Final Four in 1986. Tracy Adams came off the bench to score a personal-best 13 points.

Missy Smith led Oregon State (7-5, 1-2) with 18 points.