Western Kentucky Routs USC by 30 : Trojans Held to 5 Field Goals in First Half of 82-52 Loss

Clarence Martin scored 16 points Saturday night to lead 14th-ranked Western Kentucky to an 82-52 rout of USC in the championship game of the Wendy’s tournament.

The Trojans managed only three field goals in the first 11 minutes of the game as the Hilltoppers (6-1) built a 28-10 lead. USC made only two more the remainder of the first half and trailed, 46-16.

USC (2-2) never was closer than 71-50 with two minutes to go in the game. Hilltopper reserves outscored the Trojans, 12-2, in the final two minutes of the game.

Said USC Coach George Raveling: “I was sorry we weren’t more competitive. But I’m glad we got to play such a good team. Hopefully, we’ll learn from the experience.”

After the disastrous first half, Raveling said his team set three goals for itself at the intermission: “We wanted to outscore them in the second half, outrebound them, and gain some self respect.”

The Trojans managed to tie the Hilltoppers on the scoreboard, but they were outrebounded in the second half. As for their self respect, perhaps more will be known Tuesday when the Trojans return to the Sports Arena to play San Jose State.

Raveling was impressed with the Hilltoppers, “They are very physical as well as good athletes,” he said. “They have three legitimate NBA prospects. They’ll go a long way this season.

“I’d put them on a par with any team in the Big 10,” added the former Iowa coach.

USC made 18 of 49 field goals (37%). Western hit 30 of 63 (47%).

Western Kentucky’s Tellis Frank, who scored 20 points Friday night, had 11 in the final and was named the tournament’s most valuable player.

Derrick Dowell was high for USC Saturday night with 18 points and was named to the all-tournament team. Also named to the all-tournament team were Kannard Johnson and James McNeal of Western Kentucky, Don Mann of Murray State and Chris Moore of Mercer.

In the consolation game, Marc Farnell hit the second of two free throws with one second left to give Mercer a 51-50 victory over Murray State.