Alissa Pili
With Anchorage’s Alissa Pili having missed the last three games, you might think she would need a little time to get back into the swing of things.
You would be wrong.
Pili put USC on her back during a pivotal run to start the third quarter, having a hand in 13 points during a 15-2 spurt that carried the Trojans to a 79-65 win over Seton Hall.
The 6-foot, two-time All-Pac-12 forward finished with 15 points in 17 minutes as USC advanced to the title game of the Cancun Challenge in Mexico.
She finished 6-of-12 from the field and knocked down a couple 3-pointers. She also had six rebounds, four assists and three steals.
For Pili, it was a true ‘She’s baaaaaack’ moment as she asserted herself right when her team needed her most, proving why she is considered to be USC’s most valuable, most vital player.
After a pretty chill five-point first half, Pili heated up in the third quarter to help the Trojans squash Seton Hall,
Led by the Alaskan, USC extended its halftime lead from 37-36 to 52-38. In a span of 4 minutes, 32 seconds, Pili compiled five points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal.
Pili called game.
The Trojans are tough to beat when she’s playing like she did against Seton Hall, especially in the third quarter. USC improved to 14-6 when Pili scores 15 points or more.