Winslow’s 3-Pointers Fail to Carry USC Over Poland

Despite the long-range efforts of Brad Winslow, the USC men’s basketball team shot poorly and lost, 83-73, to the Polish national team Wednesday night in an exhibition game at Chapman College.

Winslow, a 6-6 junior guard-forward, came off the bench to score 15 points, all on three-point shots. Winslow, who missed six shots from close range, hit 5 of 6 three-point attempts.

USC Coach George Raveling said Winlsow’s performance Wednesday and in earlier practices had earned him a starting position.

“What he did out there tonight as far as shooting (goes) was no fluke,” Raveling said. “He’s been doing that in practice . . . I think he’s earned a starting position. I don’t know where, but we have to have someone with his shooting ability in the game. Especially with his three-point shot range.”

USC shot just 37%.

Forward Derrick Dowell, one of two returning starters, led the Trojans with 23 points.

The other returnee, forward Rod Keller, had 4 points and a team-high 9 rebounds.

USC fell behind by 10 points midway through the first half before the shooting of Winslow and Dowell brought it back. By halftime, the Trojans had tied the score at 34-34.

Dariusz Zelig scored 20 of his game-high 33 points in the second half to lead a Polish surge.

Poland built a 10-point lead with 11:01 left in the second half, and USC never came closer than five points again.

Poland is 5-3 so far on its U.S. tour.