Bull Wins the Fight Against Trojans

USC’s worst fear finally came true Saturday at the Sports Arena.

The Trojans’ tendency to play matador defense came back to haunt them in a game they were supposed to win, and Oregon shot 61.1% in a 99-78 victory before 2,536.

USC is 11-10 overall and 4-5 in the Pacific 10 Conference. Oregon improved to 10-10 and 3-6.

With a chance to go above .500 in the conference for the first time this season, the Trojans’ pitiful defensive performance allowed Oregon to end a six-game losing streak and win its first game since Jan. 11.

“It was a matter of effort,” said USC’s Brandon Martin, who had 18 points. “We didn’t give the same effort on the defensive end like we did on the offensive end.”

The Ducks responded to every USC offensive success, and the key to their success was junior point guard Kenya Wilkins.

Wilkins made only one of six shots but had 12 assists. Oregon swingmen Jamar Curry and Jamal Lawrence combined for 34 points, including four three-point baskets.

“[Wilkins] is such a great point guard in that he is always penetrating and then dishing to the open man,” said Curry, who had a career-high 21 points, hitting seven of nine shots in the second half. “Once he started getting me the ball, I was feeling it. I felt like I was ‘in the zone’ after my third shot of the game.”

Added Oregon Coach Jerry Green: “Our drives early on got USC off balance. They gave us some points and got them in foul trouble.”

Throughout the season, USC Coach Charlie Parker has never kept the Trojans’ shortcomings a secret. From defense to rebounding, Parker’s list of areas that needed improvement has been consistent.

Against ranked teams, such as Utah, UCLA and Cincinnati, the deficiencies were evident in blowout losses. But until Saturday, the Trojans always managed to defeat struggling teams like Oregon to stay in the Pac-10 race.

“I’m very upset,” Parker said. “To finish in the top half of the conference, we must win our home games. This is too tough of a conference. This obviously is a setback.”

All five starters scored in double figures for the Ducks, including inside players Kyle Milling and Rob Ramaker, who each had 18.

“Our defense was poor all around,” said USC’s Avondre Jones, who had nine points and six rebounds in 21 minutes. “Penetration just killed us. We did not show up to play defensively.”

Oregon took a 20-11 lead seven minutes into the game. Despite having Jones and defensive stopper Stais Boseman on the bench because of foul trouble, the Trojans rallied with a 16-4 run.

Martin had 13 of his 18 points in the first half.

The Ducks led, 45-37, at halftime, but their lead was cut to 55-52 when Boseman made three three-point baskets to lead a USC rally to start the second half. Curry then answered with 11 consecutive points as Oregon stretched its lead to 66-54.

From there, it was all catch up for the Trojans.

“At one point, Stais was going crazy scoring points, then I looked at the scoreboard and we still were down by nine,” USC’s Cameron Murray said. “Every time we did something, they came right back and answered.”

Boseman made four of seven three-point baskets and finished with a team-high 20 points, all in the second half. Jaha Wilson had 10 points and 10 rebounds. Reserve Ty Reuter had 12 points.

The loss was USC’s first at the Sports Arena this season.