Trojans loses to Oregon 76-74

Story by Brett Shapoff

Oregon holds on to beat USC 76-74. Photo by Jae C. Hong/AP

The post Kevin ‘O Neill era got off to a exciting, near-victory for USC against the Oregon Ducks, but the Trojans valiant effort came up a bucket short at 76-74. The energized Trojans, under interim coach, Bob Cantu, almost pulled-off the upset of No. 21 Oregon, before 4,722, at Galen Center.

This seemed to be a different – more energy, more hustle - Trojan team than we have been seeing up to this point in the season. Perhaps it was the coaching change; perhaps it was just a sense of pride … but USC played with tremendous vigor, passion, and real grit, for all forty minutes … something they had failed to do under their previous coach.

"It's been a tough week," Cantu said. "I'm really proud how we competed and fought. We kept pushing, got back in the game and had our chances. We did a decent job of pushing the ball up the floor and we attacked. ... But we weren't consistent enough to get over the hump. I'm proud of the guys and their effort."

USC was paced by J.T. Terrell’s 22 points and Eric Wise’s 17 points. The Trojans were 24-53 from the field, including, 6-15 from beyond the arc.

From the outset, Oregon’s well-coached squad used their quickness to jump-out to a 12-6 lead in the first six minutes of the game, limiting USC to only one shot per possession, In fact, much of the first half the Ducks were fundamentally sounder the scrappy Trojans. However, the Trojans kept fighting and fighting and were down only 35-31 at the break.

The second half was very similar to the first stanza, in that, USC kept clawing their way back into the game by either getting a key offensive rebound and/or hitting a much-needed three-pointer. Oregon maintained their lead throughout the second half and was paced by all five starters in double figures. Led by Damyean Dotson’s 16 points and E.J. Singler’s 14 points, the Ducks just stayed far enough ahead of the Trojans to escape with a hard-fought victory.

Oregon coach, Altman, commented, "You've got to find a way in some games.”We haven't been sharp now the last two games which is a big concern, but we did find a way to win, which is very important on the road. ... Sometimes you've just got to be lucky."

Oregon won this game on the boards, out rebounding USC 41-30, including, 15-8 on the offensive glass. This, in turn, allowed the Ducks to re-set their offense, and get ten more shots throughout the game…in a game decided by two points. This was the difference.

With 2:59 remaining in the game, USC was down 75-65, but some key buckets by Eric Wise, and some free throws by Omar Oraby and J.T. Terrell, cut the lead to 75-74 with :34 seconds to go. The Trojans called their last time-out and set up a play. They had a good look from Jio Fontan from three-point land that missed, followed by an Eric Wise offensive rebound (and follow-up shot by Wise), then Oregon grabbed the rebound and was fouled to ice the game.

The Trojans played hard, never quit, and can use this momentum for their match-up on Saturday against the Beavers of Oregon State.