After losing to University of Washington in Seattle, despite a 13-2 fourth quarter run, women’s basketball will look to bounce back against University of Southern California on Friday.

Senior guard Caila Hailey said the Cougars (9-11, 2-6) will try to use that late-game momentum heading into the matchup against the Trojans (13-6, 3-5).

“Just taking what we did in the fourth quarter and transferring that into the first, second and third quarter,” Hailey said. “I think that us fighting for our lives as if we are losing in the first half will kind of translate to that fourth quarter that you see.”

To replicate that final frame, redshirt junior forward Louise Brown said she would like to see the team step up on defense.

“I think that’s what’s going to get us going,” Brown said. “Taking charges, big rebounds and shot clock violations. That wears a team down.”

Brown said the Trojans are tough and gritty. Though each player is talented, she said, this mentality makes the team stand out.

“I think what makes them successful is the hard work,” Brown said, “and that mindset of ‘I don’t care who you are, I’m coming at you at full force.’”

To prepare for USC, Hailey said, the Cougars must stay concentrated.

“I think that will be the biggest focus,” she said. “Still working hard, staying mentally tough through this time. Because we’re only halfway, and there’s still a lot of games left.”

USC is first in the Pac-12 in turnover margin. Hailey said she wants her team to be aggressive and force turnovers of their own.

“I think we need to hit them first and not be the ones getting hit,” she said.

In addition to forcing many turnovers, USC is third in the Pac-12 in scoring defense. To neutralize this, the Cougars will rotate their personnel to keep players energetic.

“Our advantage is going to be bringing a lot of bodies to the court, and they only play five,” Hailey said. “The fact that we can sub and get fresh bodies out there will be our advantage against them.”

USC junior guard Aliyah Mazyck is eighth in the Pac-12 in scoring. She is also second in the conference in three-point shots made per game. To contain her, Hailey said the team needs to play hard.

“Just making sure everything is tough, and that we’re breathing down her neck the whole game,” Hailey said. “Ball pressure, being physical, playing hard, staying up on her and being aggressive defensively.”

Trojans sophomore guard Minyon Moore and Mazyck are second and third in the Pac-12 in steals, respectively.

“I think we’re going to have to come at them with a bit of poise with the ball,” Brown said. “Making quick, smart decisions. The longer we have the ball in our hand and we’re second-guessing ourselves, that’s when they can get up into us and get in passing lanes.”

Another weapon the Trojans have is senior forward Kristen Simon. Simon is fourth in the Pac-12 in scoring, and tied for fifth in rebounding. Brown said the Cougars have to do their best to make life hard on the forward.

“I just think we’re going to have to match her physicality,” Brown said. “Make nothing easy for her. Everything she gets, she’s [going to] have to work for.”

WSU will host USC at 7 p.m. Friday in Beasley Coliseum. The game can be viewed on the WSU Live Stream.