Trojans Pleasing Without the Crowd

After being embarrassed in consecutive losses before capacity crowds at UCLA and Cincinnati, USC had better success Thursday night playing at a nearly empty but friendly Sports Arena.

Before an announced crowd of 2,122, USC defeated Oregon State, 64-47, to end a two-game losing streak and improve to 11-9 overall and 4-4 in the Pacific 10 Conference.

Sure, the Trojans’ victory came over a weak Oregon State team (3-14, 1-7) but any win at this stage of the season is huge for USC after a 12-game stretch in which the Trojans faced seven top-25 teams.

“We’re glad to be home,” said Jaha Wilson, who had 16 points and nine rebounds after struggling against UCLA and Cincinnati. “The last few games I felt that I had let the team down, so I had to go out and do what I had to do.”

In a game that will not be remembered for its scoring, USC also did what it had to in order to shake off an interesting week when Coach Charlie Parker disciplined several players for skipping mandatory study sessions and benched center Avondre Jones for missing a team function.

“It’s always good to play at home regardless of the crowd or the team you’re playing,” said Cameron Murray, who had a team-high five assists. “There are certain advantages playing at home. Whatever crowd we do have, they are behind us.”

USC, which ranks last in the Pac-10 in home attendance while averaging 2,837, has never been a top draw at the Sports Arena, but the Trojans are 6-0 at home this season and 58-17 since the start of the 1991 season.

“There is a big difference playing in front of sold-out crowds and then come back here and play in front of a crowd that seems to be mainly cheerleaders and our band,” Murray said. “A big difference. But, if we stay undefeated at home and split, if not win, all our remaining road games, we’re [still in the Pac-10 race].”

Oregon State, which entered the game with the worst offense in the Pac-10 at 58.9 points per game, did its best to keep it close with a deliberate offense and a sagging zone defense. The Beavers’ top scorer, Rob Williams, finished with a team-high 13 points as Oregon State shot only 32.1% from the floor.

“Some would say that this was ugly basketball,” said Parker, whose Trojans have a chance to go above .500 in the Pac-10 Saturday when they play host to Oregon at the Sports Arena. “But it wasn’t ugly. Rather it was more good, patient basketball. Their zone slowed it up and our perimeter guys didn’t shoot well. It was an inside day.”

Jones’ replacement, David Crouse, made the most of his fourth start of the season with eight points and six rebounds in the first 10 minutes of the game. Crouse gave the Trojans the spark they needed as they crept to a 25-17 halftime lead.

“I tried to focus on taking it to them and being aggressive,” said Crouse, who finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds for his first career double-double. “I’m looking forward to the rest of the season and playing against tougher opponents.”

For the first time this season, USC’s inside players led the team in scoring with Jones adding 10 points and six rebounds in 19 minutes off the bench. The Trojans’ starting guards--Stais Boseman, Brandon Martin and Murray--combined for only 17 points.