USC Stays Cool, Keeps Winning

USC’s basketball team had difficulty maintaining its composure in close games in Coach George Raveling’s first five seasons, losing 32 of 52 decided by five points or fewer.

However, the Trojans have matured, as evidenced by their 59-56 victory over Washington Saturday at the Sports Arena.

“One thing that’s pretty evident about this team is that they find a way to win,” Raveling said after the 16th-ranked Trojans won their eighth game in a row. “I’m not sure we would have won this game last year.

“This game was further evidence that this is a special team. Any time Harold Miner makes just three field goals and we shoot 27% in the second half but still win, there’s something mystical about this team. The thing that allows us to put ourselves in position to win is the amazing poise and discipline we have on the floor.”

The Trojans, 5-0 in games decided by five points or fewer this season, maintained their poise down the stretch.

With the score 54-54, Miner, who had 18 points but missed 15 of 18 shots, missed a jump shot but got the rebound and set up teammate Yamen Sanders for a dunk for a 56-54 lead with 2:08 to play.

After Washington forward Chandler Narin made a layup to tie the score with 1:23 remaining, Miner missed another jump shot, but USC guard Rodney Chatman got the rebound and was fouled by James French. Chatman made one of two free throws to give the Trojans a one-point lead with 45.1 seconds remaining.

“The first one felt pretty good, but it hit the outside of the rim and rolled out,” Chatman said. “I just stepped back up and took three dribbles and shot it, and it went in.”

USC pressed the Huskies into a turnover when guard Brett Pagett was called for a 10-second violation. The Trojans worked the ball to Miner, who was fouled by Narin and made two free throws to give the Trojans a three-point lead with 18 seconds to play.

“In those late-game situations I always want Harold on the line,” Raveling said. “Granted, he didn’t have a good game today, but I’ll take my chances any day of the week with Harold when the game is on the line.”

Washington had three shots to force an overtime period after Miner’s free throws.

After Pagett missed a three-point shot with five seconds to play, Washington retained possession when USC forward Lorenzo Orr fouled Husky forward Mark Pope as they battled for the rebound.

After taking a timeout to set up a play, Washington couldn’t inbound the ball and used its final timeout to avoid a turnover. French finally got the ball to guard Bryant Boston, who missed a three-point shot. Narin got the rebound, but his desperation shot hit the side of the backboard as time expired.

“I was pleased with how this team is responding,” Washington Coach Lynn Nance said after watching his team lose its fourth consecutive game. “This was a rugged road trip, and they played hard. When their big player (Miner) isn’t shooting well, you have a chance to win.”

Miner, who needed four stitches after he cut his tongue during the Trojans’ 13-point victory over Washington State on Thursday night, had one of the worst shooting performances of his college career as the Trojans shot only 31.6%, including 27.6% during the second half.

After making two of 10 shots during the first half, Miner made one of eight in the second. He missed all seven of his three-point shots, and USC missed its final 11 three-point shots. However, Miner made 12 of 16 free throws, grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked three shots.

Miner wasn’t the only Trojan who didn’t shoot well.

Guard Phil Glenn missed all six of his shots--all three-point attemptsand guard Duane Cooper missed four of seven. Sanders missed three of four shots.

The Trojans won the game at the free-throw line, where they made 18 of 30. Washington had only two free throws, the lowest total ever by a USC opponent.

“It wasn’t a good shooting night for all of us,” Miner said. “I don’t know what went wrong.”

Off to their best start since 1974, the Trojans (16-3, 8-1) remained tied with UCLA for first place in the Pac-10. Washington is 9-10 overall, 3-6 in conference play.

Trojan Notes

USC’s 59 points was its lowest winning total since beating Cal, 58-56, in double overtime in 1988. . . . USC shot 31.6%, its second-worst percentage of the season. The Trojans shot 30.8% during a 39-point loss at Arizona. . . . A USC freshman, Jesse Davis of Long Beach, broke his left leg while attempting a dunk in the free-tuition shooting contest at halftime.