Sims Suspended for Last Game

Reserve swingman Ken Sims was suspended for Saturday night’s game against Washington State for an unspecified team rules’ violation, a USC spokesperson said. Sims is averaging 3.3 points and 12.8 minutes a game.

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Saturday’s victory over Washington State came in USC’s first overtime game in almost three years. USC lost to Oregon State, 83-81, in overtime on March 11, 1995. The Cougars have played three overtime games this season, losing all three.

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Before the season began, Coach Henry Bibby said that because the Trojans were smaller than most Pacific 10 teams, USC would need to attack the ball on defense, blocking shots and making steals, and on offense they would need to draw a lot of fouls.

Against the Cougars, USC did just that. The Trojans had nine blocked shots (tying a season high), 14 steals and made 25 of their 40 free throws (62.5%), the most trips to the free-throw line USC has made this season.

By comparison, the Cougars had six blocks, four steals and made 11 of their 14 free throws (78.6%).