Women’s basketball: Cassie Harberts scores 31 points as USC defeats Washington State, 78-66, in Pac-10 tournament

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Freshman forward Cassie Harberts scored 31 points and had 14 rebounds as fifth-seeded USC defeated Washington State, 78-66 ,in the first round of the Pacific Life Pacific 10 Conference women’s basketball tournament Wednesday at the Galen Center.

The victory improved the Trojans’ record to 19-11. USC will have the opportunity to reach the important 20-win mark when its plays Arizona in the quarterfinals Thursday.

USC Coach Michael Cooper and several other Pac-10 coaches said before the tournament that 20 victories would put conference teams in the conversation for berths in the NCAA tournament. Arizona improved to 20-10 by defeating Oregon earlier Wednesday.

Jacki Gemelos scored 13 points and had nine rebounds for USC.

Jazmine Perkins scored 17 points and 11 rebounds for Washington State, which finished 8-23.

More later at latimes.com/sports

-- Gary Klein