LOS ANGELES (AP) — It seemed only fitting that Aleah Goodman would start a 19-2 run for No. 10 Oregon State by knocking down a 3-pointer.
It was her fifth of the game, matching her career high, and it sparked the dominating spurt that led to the Beavers' 76-52 victory Sunday over USC.
Goodman came off the bench to finish with 17 points. Aided by 21 points from Mikayla Pivec and 19 from Maddie Washington, the Beavers (13-2, 4-0 Pac 12) proved too much for the slumping Trojans (10-6, 0-5).
"She's one of the best shooters in the country," said Oregon State coach Scott Rueck. "Last year we led the nation in three-point percentage. It's what we do. We needed that spark. They gave her a little space and that's something Aleah can do. She can knock threes down from anywhere."
During the decisive stretch from the third quarter to early in the final period, USC went 8:05 without a field goal in suffering its fifth consecutive loss.
"Our kids are playing hard," said USC coach Mark Trakh. "They're not quitting, they're not giving up. It all comes down to just making a higher percentage of our shots."
The Trojans were led by Minyon Moore's 21 points. Aliyah Mazyck added 10 points for USC.
USC was outrebounded, 41-30, and made only one of 14 3-point attempts.
"You can't fault our effort," Moore said. "Oregon State's defense is really good. They make you take the extra pass."
Oregon State led 39-34 when Goodman hit her three to spark the decisive rally. The Beavers finished the third quarter by scoring its final 12 points.
The Beavers are playing without their third-leading scorer, Kat Tudor (12.3 points per game), who was lost for the season to a knee injury Jan. 4.
"Being down Kat, a great 3-point shooter, everyone needs to step up big," Goodman said. "My team just did a great job of attacking and opening it up on the 3-point line.
"I just know I have to make them when I shoot them. That's one of my roles on this team -- to make shots."
The Beavers shot 55.1 percent for the game and hit on 8-of-18 threes against the Trojans to overcome 20 turnovers.
"I thought out execution offensively was as good as it's been all year," Rueck said. "You put that together with our defensive effort and our rebounding, it just made for an opportunity to separate like we did."
Pivec scored all but two of her points in the second half, hitting all eight of her free throws. Both Goodman and Pivec are guards.
"Their guards are very skilled," Trakh said. "If you make a mistake, they're going to knock down the three. We made three mistakes on Goodman, and it's three threes on a kid coming off the bench. They're very, very skilled and very well coached."
BIG PICTURE
Oregon State: By improving their conference record to 4-0, the Beavers remained tied for the conference lead in the Pac 12.
USC: The Trojans continue to slide, dropping their fifth consecutive game and remaining tied for last in the Pac 12.
UP NEXT
Oregon State: Returns home Friday to meet Arizona.
USC: Travels to crosstown UCLA on Sunday.
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