Trojans' Defense and Free Throws Key To Victory Over Stanford 71-69

Story By L.T.Willis

USC's #1 Jio Fantan scored 15 points against Stanford. Photo by
Eric Wade/T.G. Sports.

The USC Trojans (6-8,1-0) played their best defensive game of the season and held on to beat the Stanford Cardinal (9-5,0-1) 71-69 in the Pac-12 Conference season opener, a game that went down to the last possession by Stanford. In the first half Stanford was killing USC with great 3- point shooting from Andy Brown 3-4, John Cage 2-2, Gabriel Harris 1-1 and Robbie Lemons  1-2 was 7-13 behind the 3-point arc.

The Trojans wasn't bad either as they were 4-6 from behind the 3-point arc because Eric Wise 2-2 Bryon Wesley 1-1 and Jio Fontan 1-3 kept them from being blown out. Still the Trojans with their bigger front court size with Omar Oraby and Dewayne Dedmon post play was a non factor in the first half. The Trojans finally played a game in which they played smart at the end of the game, came away with a sweet victory.

The rotation on defense for the Trojans were just a little bit slow getting to the perimeter shooters, and they were paying for it, as the outside shots were falling for the Cardinals. The Trojans' Jio Fontan who shot 4-7 in the first half and  Eric Wise 3-5 were doing all they can to keep Stanford from blowing them out. At the half Stanford led 42-33.

Stanford's #33 Dwight Powell. Photo by
Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

The key for the Trojans in the second half was their defense step it up a notch, had several basket saving block shots by Omar Oraby, Bryon Wesley and Eric Wise change the outcome of the game, gave the Trojans new life on offense. Omar Oraby got more involve in the offense scored 6 points late in the game along with great free throw shooting from Dewayne Dedmon 5-6 before fouling out, and great play from Eric Wise, got them back in the game. Jio Fantan free throws with 1:51 gave USC a 69-67 lead before Andy Brown tied the game again with 26.8 .

The game was tied 69-69 with 6.9 seconds left in the game when the Trojans' Jio Fontan hit two free throws, and now USC led Stanford 71-69. Stanford had a chance to send the game into over time when Dwight Powell miss a dunk on a put back shot, as the ball bounce high off the rim with no time left, the Trojans came away with a victory. The Trojans played smarter in the second half, and out rebounded Stanford 21-16 in the second half was the difference in the game.

USC's #55 Omar Oraby playing great defense against
Stanford's #33 Dwight Powell. Photo by
Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

" I am really proud of our team how they played hard and never gave up in the game, showing character and believing in one another and playing great defense in the end of the game,"Kevin O'Neill said." The miss dunk by Stanford's Dwight Powell is part of the game, and we are just grateful we came away with a victory."

The leading scorers for the Trojans were Jio Fantan 15 points and 4 assist, Eric Wise 14 points, Dewayne Dedmon 11 points and Bryan Chass 10 points. Stanford's Andy Brown had 17 points, Aaron Bright 12 points, Dwight Powell 11points and Josh Huestis. For more photos of this game go to www.tgsportstv.com , click on Photo Gallery2 and scrolled down to Stanford @ USC. All photo are by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports and EW Gems Images.