In the End, Cougars Give USC the Slip

USC let a close game slip away in the last minute and lost to Washington State, 78-71, in front of 4,242 on Saturday.

USC trailed by only a few points for most of the second half and moved to within 71-69 with 50 seconds left after Elias Ayuso’s three-point basket.

However, Blake Pengelly made two free throws on Washington State’s next possession to boost the lead to four.

The Trojans’ Kevin Augustine missed two free throws with 34 seconds left. Carlos Daniel was fouled three seconds later and sealed the victory by making two free throws.

“They outplayed us,” USC Coach Henry Bibby said. “They hit the shots they needed to win the game.”

The Cougars (10-18, 3-14 in the Pacific 10) won for the second time in 13 games and ended a three-game losing streak to the Trojans (7-19, 3-13), who lost their seventh consecutive game.

USC had a 37-35 lead at halftime after overcoming Washington State’s fast start.

Ayuso had a career-high 22 points for the Trojans. Gary Johnson added 17.