by After providing the game-winning basket with 29 seconds left in double overtime to upset undefeated rival UCLA, freshman forward Alissa Pili (Inupiaq) has picked up honors as the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week. Pili punched up 19 points and hauled in a career-high 17 rebounds in the 70-68 victory over the No. 7 Bruins.
Pili’s heroic three-point play in the final stretch of double overtime was the difference in USC’s win, which was the Trojans’ first over a top-10 opponent since 2017. The victory also snapped a five-game losing skid for USC, while also putting a stop to UCLA’s claim as the only undefeated team in the nation. With her 19 points and 17 rebounds, Pili recorded her sixth double-double of the year along with her 11th game scoring in double figures. In the second 5-minute overtime alone, Pili had six points and four rebounds to help anchor USC’s comeback from a six-point deficit to victory.
Pili power! 👊
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) January 20, 2020
S/O to @alissa_pili for being named #Pac12WBB Freshman of the Week.
She racked up 1⃣9⃣ points, 1⃣7⃣ rebounds and led @USCWBB to a double OT win vs. undefeated rival UCLA. ➡️ https://t.co/hfXVgpkBY6 pic.twitter.com/a95X4tJAnD
Pili is the first Pac-12 honoree from USC this season. The last Trojan to be named Pac-12 Freshman of the Week was Shalexxus Aaron on Feb. 5, 2019.
