USC holds on to a 69-68 victory over Oregon ST

Story by Brett Shapoff

Photo by Gus Ruelas/AP Photo

A wild, nail-biter, one-point 69-68 victory over Oregon State gave USC interim coach, Bob Cantu, his first win since assuming the helm from Kevin O’ Neill on Saturday evening, before 3,963 at the Galen Center. The Trojans blew a fifteen- point second half lead to the Beavers who fought and fought to actually go ahead by one-point, then only to lose by one-point at the final buzzer.

For the second game in a row, the Trojans came out with a lot of enthusiasm and energy to propel them to an easy 39-31 halftime lead. That lead peaked to fifteen early in the second-half when the Beavers took advantage of the Trojans complacent ‘we-are-ahead-by-fifteen-points-and-cruising-to-victory’ play. The Beavers went on an 18-2 run to go-ahead 49-48 with 11:52 left in the game. From then on, the game was close until the final buzzer.  

Photo by Gus Ruelas/AP Photo.

USC coach, Cantu, commented on his first victory as head coach: “It feels great. I'm feeling more comfortable every day. I'm just happy for our guys."

The Trojans shot 49% (26-53) from the field for the game. Included were four three-pointers. Byron Wesley led the way with 19 points, Eric Wise had 18 points, and J.T. Terrell contributed 11 points.

Wesley had this to say: "Cantu has a different philosophy from KO. We're trying to adjust. We're making strides."

Oregon State head coach, Craig Robinson, admitted, "The first minute and half of the second half lost us the game." Although the Beavers clawed back from that big deficit, and had multiple chances to win, getting down so many, cost them.

Photo by Gus Ruelas/AP Photo

The Beavers shot only 43% (24-56) for the game, which included only three three-pointers. Guard Roberto Nelson paved the way with 26 points, including, a perfect 10-10 from the free-throw line. Power forward, Joe Burton had 16 points, and Devon Collier pitched in 16 points, as well.

Overall, the game went from being a blow-out to being a really exciting game for all attended. Granted, USC’s complacency contributed to the Oregon State 2^nd-half comeback, the Beavers never quit, and showed why a game is never over, until the final buzzer.