Bibby Protests Two Calls

USC Coach Henry Bibby has filed a complaint with the Pacific 10 Conference over two calls made by officials during the Trojans’ 83-74 overtime loss to Oregon State last Thursday.

Officials awarded a free throw to Oregon State guard John-Blair Bickerstaff in the first half after he was fouled making a layup and then allowed the Beavers’ star player, Corey Benjamin, to shoot the foul shot.

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

Bibby alleges that officials sent the wrong shooter to the free-throw line again in the second half.

Bibby has also notified the supervisor of Pac-10 referees, Booker Turner, that he has seen inconsistencies in how officials call five-second violations and hand checking this season.

“As far as I know, the rules say you can never touch the opposing player,” Bibby said. “Our players have really gotten banged up in several games. All we ask is that officials be consistent. Let us play in a physical way too.”