Another USC Loss Is Latest Bad News

Less than three weeks ago, USC had reason to believe that playing in a postseason tournament was a realistic goal.

With an 11-9 record and a 4-4 mark in the Pacific 10 Conference, the Trojans were legitimate contenders for at least a National Invitational Tournament bid.

Since then, however, nothing has gone smoothly. With only seven scholarship players in uniform, USC lost its fifth consecutive game Saturday when No. 13 Arizona defeated the Trojans, 86-72, before 3,121 at the Sports Arena.

“Our morale is holding up, but it’s been a while since we won a game,” center David Crouse said. “It’s really time for us to end [our losing streak].”

Brandon Martin and Stais Boseman did their best in combining for 48 points, but they didn’t get enough support as the Trojans dropped to 11-14, 4-9.

Martin, who made 12 of 19 shots, scored 20 points in the second half to finish with 26 and six rebounds. Boseman, who had only three points in USC’s loss to Arizona State on Thursday, had 22 points, seven rebounds, five assists, four steals and two blocked shots in 40 minutes.

All five Arizona starters scored in double figures with Ben Davis leading the way with 19 points and a career-high 16 rebounds. Reggie Geary added 18 points and four assists as the Wildcats improved to 19-5, 8-4.

Behind the three-point shooting of Joe McLean and Corey Williams, Arizona took control with a 20-6 run over the last 12 minutes of the first half to take a 39-27 lead at the break and never looked back.

“We tried to do whatever we could to match up with them talent for talent,” USC interim Coach Henry Bibby said. “They just had a little too much firepower. But you can’t knock our guys because they never stopped playing.”

Which is what USC has done without much success since defeating Oregon State on Feb. 1. The Trojans have not only gone winless, but they have also had to cope with a complex series of events, including:

--Charlie Parker being fired as coach and being replaced by Bibby for the remainder of the season.

--Starting center Avondre Jones’ unexplained absence for games at Stanford and California.

--A discussed player boycott before the Stanford game.

--Jones being suspended for two games by Bibby before a team meeting involving the players, their parents, Bibby and Athletic Director Mike Garrett.

--Cameron Murray and his parents deciding that the struggling guard should sit out the rest of the season, three games after he requested to be removed from the starting lineup.

“Everybody handles their own situation differently,” said Boseman about the recent changes. “Everyone has to do what is best for them. I know that it has not been easy [for Murray and Jones]. But they are both still with us, and we’re sticking together as a team.”

Freshmen Damion Dawson and Maurice Strong combined for nine fouls in 38 minutes with Murray and Jones on the bench in street clothes. Before fouling out in the final minute, Dawson had only two points and two assists but played well on defense. Strong finished with four fouls but he did grab two rebounds to go with one blocked shot and steal.

Miles Simon, who missed two crucial free throws in Arizona’s loss at UCLA on Thursday, did not play in the first half for the Wildcats after missing the team bus for the game. Michael Dickerson started in his place and finished with 13 points, seven rebounds and six assists.