UCLA women defeat USC in Pac-12 opener, 59-52

Freshman Recee’ Caldwell came off the bench to score a career-high 17 points Tuesday and UCLA opened Pac-12 Conference play with a 59-52 victory over USC at Galen Center.

Jordin Canada added 12 points, making all eight of her free throws, including six in the final 39 seconds, and Nirra Fields had 10 for the Bruins (5-7). McKenzie Calvert had 16 points and Kaneisha Horn 12 for the Trojans (8-4).

UCLA led 32-24 at the half, but USC scored the first 10 points of the second half, taking the lead on Horn’s layup at 15:32.

Caldwell’s jumper at 14:52 tied the score and Monique Billings scored to put the Bruins up for good at 13:37. UCLA made nine of 10 free throws in the second half while USC made only five of 11 for the game.

The Trojans shot only 33%, including three for 22 behind the arc, and finished 21 points below their average.