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USC basketball: Trojans fall in another close one, losing 44-41 to New Mexico

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USC played another close one. And again the Trojans came up on the short end.

In its first game home in 19 days, USC fell to New Mexico, 44-41, on Saturday.

Guard Maurice Jones, who led the Trojans in scoring with 19 points, missed a three-point shot just before the buzzer sounded. USC falls to 4-6.

Seven of USC’s 10 games this season have been decided by seven points or fewer.

New Mexico (7-2) led by as many as 11 in the second half, but USC fought back to make it a tight game down the stretch.

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Jones hit a three-point shot with 4:36 left to pull the Trojans to within three. And then fellow guard Alexis Moore hit another three-point shot with 2:59 left to pull USC to within two.

After Moore helped force a Lobos turnover with 2:19 left and on their ensuing possession, Trojans center Dewayne Dedmon scored a tough layup while being fouled.

The touted red-shirt sophomore made the foul shot to give USC a 41-40 lead with 1:51 left.

New Mexico’s Tony Snell knocked down a pair of free throws to put his team ahead with 1:27 left.

Dedmon fouled out with 17.9 seconds left and New Mexico’s A.J Hardemann knocked down a pair of free throws with 17.9 seconds left.

On its final possession, Jones came up short.

Both teams shot 33% from the floor, but New Mexico made 10 more free throws and out-rebounded USC, 36-23. The Lobos were led by UCLA transfer Drew Gordon, who had 13 points and 13 rebounds.

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USC forward Evan Smith, playing his first game in two seasons because of chronic shoulder injuries, was charged with a flagrant foul with 13:53 left. The call was made after Smith went to block a fast-break layup by New Mexico’s Kendall Williams and hacked far more of Williams’ body than the ball.

USC plays host to Georgia (4-5) next Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Galen Center.

-- Baxter Holmes

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