Cheryl Miller’s 39 Points, 24 Rebounds Spark USC’s 117-55 Rout of Oregon St.

With 9 minutes 55 seconds left in USC’s basketball game against Oregon State at the Sports Arena Sunday night, Cheryl Miller sat down and didn’t return.

The decision to take Miller out of the game was a merciful one by Coach Linda Sharp. Miller, Sharp’s superstar, had already done enough damage against the out-classed Beavers.

Miller, playing only 27 minutes, scored 39 points and grabbed 24 rebounds, as the Trojan women routed Oregon State, 117-55. Miller’s 24 rebounds matched her school record.

USC’s point total tied the school record going back to a 117-42 win over UC Santa Barbara in 1981. By winning, the third-ranked Trojans improved their record to 8-1. OSU is 3-6.

Miller had 19 rebounds by halftime and now is the school’s all-time leader in that department with 1,259. She broke the record of 1,250 by Pam McGee, set from 1980 through 1984. It wasn’t even a semblance of a game. Oregon State went seven minutes before getting its first basket, an 0 for 13 stretch from the field. By that time, USC led, 16-4, on its way to a 61-23 halftime lead.