USC struggling, but leading at halftime

You could see this coming. USC's basketball team was fresh off routing Oregon on Friday. Oregon State has lost 21 consecutive Pacific 10 Conference games.

So, of course, the Trojans spent much of the first half flat-lining before scratching out a 25-20 lead at halftime Sunday. USC missed three shots and turned the ball over four times on its first seven possessions, falling behind, 8-0, in the first four minutes. Trailing, 12-2, USC methodically outscored the Beavers, 23-8, in the last 13 minutes of the half.

Reserve Marcus Johnson was a spark, with five points, two blocked shots and one assist in the last two minutes of the half.

-- Chris Foster

Photo: USC forward Keith Wilkinson plays tight defense on Oregon State's Seth Tarver, who rises for a jumper in the first half Sunday in Corvallis, Ore. Credit: Rick Bowmer / Associated Press

Comments

[DantheMan]

Thanx to C. Foster for calling the Beavs a 'speed bump'.......a little more motivation.
Didja hear what the students were chanting in the last few seconds, as the Beavers were dribbling out the clock with the win? ......

Just like football!

[BlazerBeav]

If anyone needed evidence as to how important coaching is at this level, see today's Oregon State team versus last year's with the same talent.