Road Still Is Rough for USC : College basketball: St. Louis University, which was 5-23 last season, gives Spoonhour his 200th victory, 94-79.

The road is proving to be a lonely, unfriendly place for a young basketball team.

On Saturday, St. Louis University scored a 94-79 victory, new Billiken Coach Charley Spoonhour’s 200th, over the Trojans. The Trojans (2-2) have been overwhelmed in both games away from the Sports Arena.

The defeat was expected at Ohio State, when the Trojans fell behind early and were never in the game. But St. Louis figured to be another matter. The Billikens (3-3) were only 5-23 in a turmoil-filled 1991-92 season. Although they brought in Spoonhour, who developed Southwest Missouri State into a powerhouse, they are expected to finish last in the Great Midwest Conference, which is dominated by Memphis State and Cincinnati.

The Billikens are essentially a three-man team. Led by Scott Highmark, Donnie Dobbs and Erwin Claggett, they shot 58.6%, making nine of 12 three-point shots. Despite shooting 70%, the Trojans trailed by 54-50 at halftime.

Highmark opened the second half with a three-point basket and a layup, then assisted on two more baskets. The 9-0 start gave the Billikens a 63-50 lead and the Trojans were never closer than nine points the rest of the way.

Highmark, who had 17 points during the first half, put a halt to a budding Trojan rally when he sank two more three-pointers to give the Billikens a 69-56 lead.

Highmark had 28 points with 15 minutes to play but didn’t score again. Instead, he set up Dobbs (29 points, 11 rebounds) for easy shots underneath. And, when the Trojans put on a full-court defense, it was Highmark who brought the ball up the court.

“I thought we were in good shape, trailing by four at halftime,” Trojan Coach George Raveling said. “But you have to hand it to the Billikens. They came out in the second half with patience. They seemed to take advantage of every opportunity.

“In looking back, we may have made a mistake not going inside more. We thought we could get Dobbs in foul trouble. Dobbs may be only 6-3, but he played like seven feet today. We were the ones who got in foul trouble.

“The early fouls (USC had seven in the first eight minutes) caused some of our players to be a little tentative.”

The Billikens finished 17 for 20 from the free-throw line, the Trojans four for 11.

Spoonhour, whose Southwest Missouri team made the NCAA tournament five times, called it his first big victory at St. Louis.

“I guess I’ll remember it because I think we beat a good team,” he said.

Claggett scored 24 points. Dwayne Hackett led the Trojans with 17 points.