Trojans Finally Take It Inside

USC controlled the low post on offense for the first time all season in Wednesday’s loss to UCLA.

The Trojans, who have built their offense around three-point shooting, made four of their 25 long-range shots against the Bruins and had to rely on forwards Jarvis Turner, Greg Lakey and Anthony White for their points.

Turner had 17 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Lakey and White scored 12 apiece.

“They got the ball down to us and we showed we could score,” said Lakey, a freshman. “We ran some plays and got free. We knew we could take the ball inside on them.”

The Trojans ran a series of intricate picks to get the three players some easy baskets, something else that the Trojans have not done much of this season.

“We did some things differently tonight,” USC Coach Henry Bibby said. “But mostly our guys played their hearts out.”

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The Trojans shot 46.4% (32 of 69) and have not been over 50% in conference play this season. Their best shooter and leading scorer, junior forward Adam Spanich made one of nine shots, missing all seven of his three-point attempts.

Senior guard Gary Johnson was the only effective shooter from three-point range, making three of his nine shots from behind the arc.

On defense, the Trojans were helped by Bruin center Jelani McCoy’s absence and were able to stop UCLA’s outside shooters from getting long looks at the basket, which they did in UCLA’s 101-84 victory last month.

In that game the Bruins shot 65%. They shot 48.3% Wednesday.