The Trojans had a difficult time shaking the Toreros, primarily because they were sloppy with the basketball (20 turnovers) and were miserable from the free throw line (13 of 22, 59.1 percent).
USC (3-1) pushed its lead to 10 points with 5:40 remaining when Dwight Lewis hit a 3-pointer from the left, but the Toreros worked their way back. De’Jon Jackson hit a jumper, then a 3-pointer, to get San Diego (2-3) back to within five points.
San Diego was within four points when Ray Murdoch missed an open 3-point attempt from the top of the key, and the Trojans were able get away with a victory when O.J. Mayo banked in a shot from right of the lane with the shot clock inside of five seconds.
The Trojans’ freshman then stole the ball in the backcourt from San Diego guard Brandon Johnson, the resulting dunk putting USC up 56-47.
MVP:
The Trojans’ Taj Gibson had a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds.
What were you waiting for?
O.J. Mayo, who came in leading the Trojans with 25.7 points per game and averaging 19.7 shots per game, didn’t take a shot for nearly six minutes. His first shot was a 3-pointer from behind the NBA line and it barely rippled the net on its way through the basket.
Mayo took only three shots in the first half, hitting two from behind the 3-point line.
Did you see that?
10:02 first half. Toreros’ center Gyno Pomare had a pass go right through his hands in the high post, starting the Trojans on a fast break. Mayo had to leap to take a long outlet pass about 18 feet from the basket, but in one motion he fired the ball to the left of the rim where freshman Davon Jefferson, in his first action this season, slammed it home.
Nice run:
San Diego turned the ball over on four consecutive trips down the floor and it appeared that the Trojans would run away at that point. The certainly had an opportunity, stretching an 18-14 lead to 23-14. But Toreros’ point guard Brandon Johnson pulled up in the lane and hit a jump shot to end the spate of turnovers and San Diego closed quickly.
The Trojans were called for a technical foul for an illegal substitution and Ray Murdoch hit a pair of free throws. Johnson then hit another jump shot and after a miss by Taj Gibson knocked down a 3-pointer from the right wing that tied the score at 23.
What was he thinking?
Chris Lewis isn’t the one to have the ball in his hands with the shot clock running down. He has hit only 34.4 percent of his shots, the lowest percentage of all the Toreros to have played three minutes a game. But he had it in the high post, the clock at nine and counting. He put the ball on the floor, faked a shot, then went up and had his shot swatted out to mid-court by Taj Gibson.
Mayo ran down the ball and went the distance, putting the Trojans up 34-23 with a big dunk.
Did you see that, part 2?
12:59 second half. Mayo was defending Trumaine Johnson, straight out and 18 feet from the basket, when the Toreros’ guard put a cross-over move on the Trojans’ star that left him looking every bit the freshman. Johnson shook free as Mayo went reeling off to the left.
Up next:
USC vs. Miami (Ohio), Friday, 9:30 p.m. TV: ESPN2. Radio: AM710 KSPN. Miami held off a late charge by South Alabama in winning its first-round game at the Anaheim Classic, 64-59. Forward Michael Bramos led the Redhawks with 28 points, hitting 10 of 18 shots.
