Rhodes a Colossus in Trojan Victory

USC’s coach and players had said repeatedly that Rodrick Rhodes would reappear when most needed, but in the past weeks it was a statement that seemed as unstable as the Trojans’ NCAA tournament chances.

But Thursday night at Washington State’s Friel Court, with USC near its boiling point, Rhodes appeared.

He didn’t come up with the key steal as Gary Johnson did in USC’s 92-85 victory, nor did he ice the game with free throws, that task being left for forward Jaha Wilson and center David Crouse. Rhodes simply did everything else, scoring 28 points as the Trojans won their third consecutive game, in front of 5,755.

“Forget the points, the biggest thing he did tonight was lead,” “ said Stais Boseman, who had 17 points. “He gave us a big-time boost.”

That boost pushed USC to 17-9, 12-5 in the Pacific 10 Conference and sole possession of second place, thanks to Stanford’s victory over Arizona. And did it propel USC into the NCAA tournament? It is a question still to be answered, but after defeating the Cougars, USC was celebrating more than a victory. The Trojans were celebrating survival.

“Let’s face it, this was a must win and we stepped it up in the end,” Crouse said. “Now we need to get one more on Saturday [at Washington] and we’ll be looking good for Sunday.”

That is the day the NCAA selection committee completes the field of 64 and USC, which can now finish no worse than tied for second, whispered before the trip north that anything short of a sweep would leave them short.

“I’ve never been in this situation so I don’t know,” Rhodes said of the Trojans’ precarious position. “We want to win out. If we do that we have a pretty good chance.”

USC Coach Henry Bibby welcomed the dominance of a player from whom great things were expected this season.

“Tonight Rod controlled the game like we have been looking for him to do all year,” Bibby said. “He has been up and down, but he was so much bigger than their guards and he created a lot of problems for them by driving and getting to the free-throw line.”

Rhodes got to the line 15 times, made nine, and had six assists. He also was able to put the past five games, in which he has averaged six points, in perspective.

“I’m not one to make excuses. I’m not one to hide,” Rhodes said. “I have been a little under the weather but I don’t know if that was the reason. But others like Stais have been carrying us and tonight it was about time he got a night off.”

Trouble with the Cougars’ zone and some big shots from Washington State guard Blake Pengelly had the Cougars ahead 76-68 with 7:08 remaining. USC cut into the lead behind Wilson (17 points) and a full-court trap, but trailed, 80-74, with under five minutes remaining.

It was then that Rhodes took and made his only three-point shot, and followed with a layup, an assist to Gary Williams, and a dunk during an 11-2 Trojan run that forged an 85-82 lead.

Washington State clawed back from there, and even had a chance to tie after Crouse’s free throws put USC ahead, 88-85, with :18 on the clock. But the 6-foot-1 Johnson hid behind the referee as Steve Slotemaker inbounded the ball, and grabbed it as it was passed in toward Pengelly.

He quickly passed out to Wilson, who made two free throws to end any threat.

“That play was huge,” Boseman said. “I knew it was over right there.”

The Trojans shot 64% (18 for 28) in the first half, made 10 of 14 free throws and welcomed back Rhodes, who scored 14 in the first 20 minutes.

But USC’s effectiveness in the first half was matched by Washington State (13-16, 5-12), which shot 55%, made 10 of 13 free throws and four of eight three-point shots and trailed only 47-46 at the break.

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Pacific 10 Race

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Conf. Overall Team W L W L UCLA 14 3 20 7 USC 12 5 17 9 Stanford 11 6 19 7 Arizona 11 6 19 8 California 11 6 20 8 Washington 9 8 16 10 Oregon 7 10 16 10 Washington St. 5 12 13 16 Arizona State 4 7 9 11 Oregon State 3 14 10 18

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