USC, Pendleton Wear Out Seattle for 87-53 Win : Trojan Guard Scores 20 Points in Team’s Final Tuneup Before Pac-10 Play

Anthony Pendleton, one of the country’s best high school basketball players in 1986, had a disappointing debut at USC last season after sitting out a year because of academic problems.

Pendleton, a 6-foot 4-inch guard, is playing up to his potential this season, however. He scored 20 points as the Trojans defeated Seattle University, 87-53, Tuesday night in the Sports Arena before a crowd of 2,187.

It was the final test for the Trojans (6-2) before opening Pacific 10 Conference play against California Dec. 23 in the Sports Arena. Seattle, an National Assn. of Intercollegiate Athletics team, is 1-9.

“It wasn’t a very cohesive performance,” USC Coach George Raveling said. “When I go back to my office, I’ll hang a sign on my door saying the picnic is over.”

USC feasted on vastly inferior teams during its nonconference schedule, including easy victories over Howard, Portland and United States International University.

Raveling became defensive when asked why he scheduled so many easy opponents this season.

“We tried it the other way the last 2 years and it didn’t work,” Raveling said. “A lot is said about who we play but it doesn’t seem to hurt Georgetown, Duke, North Carolina State, Michigan and a lot of teams that make the NCAA tournament. No one asked me last year what we got out of playing North Carolina.

“I’m just doing what I think is best. If I get criticized, it ain’t going to be the first time and it ain’t going to be the last time. If I had to do it over again, I wouldn’t change. I’m doing what I think is best for the program.”

The schedule is designed to boost the confidence of the Trojans, who are coming off the school’s worst season.

“We’re playing to help us get ready for the season,” Pendleton said. “We try to work on different things in games like this.”

Pendleton scored 12 points in the final 9:53 of the first half as the Trojans broke a tight game with a 22-7 run.

“I don’t think Pendleton shot it as well last year as he did tonight,” Seattle Coach Bob Johnson said. “We tried to do things to keep it away from him and he still shot well.”

Pendleton made 8 of 17 shots, including 4 from 3-point range. He also had 3 assists and 3 steals.

“When Pendleton is shooting in the rhythm of the offense, he’ll make a lot of shots,” Raveling said.

Pendleton said he is more comfortable this season.

“Last year I felt I was trying to do too much,” Pendleton said. “This year I’m just letting it flow. I’m letting it happen instead of trying to do too much.”

Forward Alan Pollard, who has been the Trojans’ best reserve, also continued to make a contribution off the bench with 12 points and 9 rebounds in 15 minutes.

“I’m immensely pleased with Pollard’s play,” Raveling said. “He’s been our most consistent defensive player of the inside people. And his confidence is really elevated in his shooting.”

USC Notes

After USC Coach George Raveling said the Trojans hoped to improve their free-throw shooting, USC made only 5 of 20 free throws in the first half. The Trojans finished with 12 of 32 foul shots. . . . USC forward Turi Carter and swingman Johnny Holmes didn’t attend the game because they had to take final examinations. . . . Seattle wore black armbands on their uniforms in memory of Ron Kuhn, a senior who was killed in an auto accident last summer. . . . After losing to Cal State Long Beach for the last 2 seasons, the Trojans have dropped the 49ers from their schedule. Raveling said that he had a handshake agreement with Ron Palmer, former Long Beach coach, to play a home-and-home series.