Women’s Basketball : Miller Leads USC to Victory and Then Raps the Officiating

Cheryl Miller was her usual dominating self Saturday afternoon as USC easily beat Arizona State, 91-65, in a Pac West game at the Sports Arena. She got 27 points and 6 rebounds--but she also picked up a technical foul while complaining to an official.

“There’s a lot going that’s not being called,” Miler said. “They’re (officials) not looking for the other players. They’re looking for me, and I’m getting the short end of the stick.”

Miller seems frustrated, and USC Coach Linda Sharp confirmed that’s the way her star player feels. “Cheryl would rather play a finesse game, but other teams can’t stay with her quickness, so they bump her and try to knock her off rhythm,” Sharp said. “Cheryl doesn’t want to play a physical game. But she’s going to have to put up with it because it isn’t going to stop.”

Miller had eye surgery recently and was wearing goggles Saturday afternoon. But she threw them away a minute and a half into the second half.

“They fogged up on me. I’m going to have to get some spray for them,” she said.

The Trojans didn’t waste any time in setting the tenor of the game. USC forced 15 ASU turnovers in the first half with an aggressive, pressing defense. As a result, USC had a 30-6 lead in the opening nine minutes.

Cynthia Cooper scored 21 points in support of Miller, while Cherie Nelson, who became a starting center Thursday night against Arizona, wound up with 15 points.

USC improved its record to 15-2. ASU is 8-5.