USC Cries Foul as Oregon State Wins in Overtime

USC allowed sophomore scoring sensation Corey Benjamin too many chances to slash and swivel his way to the basket and Oregon State too many chances to score when it counted. Ultimately, that led to the Trojans’ demise.

Benjamin, a former standout at Fontana High, scored 33 points Thursday, making shots inside and outside--and at least one point, on a free throw that did not belong to him--as he led the Beavers to an 83-74 overtime victory against USC before 5,584 at Gill Coliseum.

In the first half, the officials called USC guard Kevin Augustine for a foul against Oregon State guard John-Blair Bickerstaff, who had scored on a layup. Instead of sending Bickerstaff to the free-throw line to finish the three-point play, however, it was Benjamin who made the foul shot.

“I think we might have missed that one,” head official Andy Rios said after the game. “But it wasn’t crucial at the time.”

The teams went into overtime tied at 67-67, but Oregon State outscored the Trojans, 16-7.

Trojan Coach Henry Bibby became irate late in the second half when it appeared that Corey’s brother, Sonny Benjamin, should have been shooting foul shots, but referees again sent Corey to the line.

“Three guys out there and they can’t make the call,” Bibby growled. “Let them [Pacific 10 Conference] fine me. Everyone in the place knew they sent the wrong guy to the line.”

“The second call, we conferred as a crew and we believe we had the right shooter,” said Rios, referring to a play when USC forward Jarvis Turner was whistled for what appeared to be a foul against Sonny Benjamin with 2:16 left in the game. Corey again shot the free throws and made both.

Those three points might have helped the Beavers tie the score in regulation, but they outhustled and outrebounded the Trojans in overtime. By virtue of those second and third shots, Oregon State (12-10, 2-8) took a 73-69 lead with 1:32 left.

“Instead of boxing out, we just stood around and watched at the end,” said Trojan freshman Jeff Trepagnier, who had 11 points and five rebounds. “I know I didn’t box out. . . . We tried to use our athleticism.”