Trojans Roar Past the Lions

Say what you want about USC. When the Trojans win, they win big.

In their previous four victories, USC’s average winning margin has been nearly 23 points. Saturday was no exception, as the Trojans romped past Loyola Marymount, 96-55, before 2,112 at Gersten Pavilion.

It was biggest margin of victory over Loyola in the 42-game series, and the most points scored by USC (5-4) since a 101-54 victory over San Diego State in 1998.

It was also the worst home loss in school history for Loyola, which has lost five in a row since winning its season opener against California Baptist.

“I liked the fact we played hard the whole game,” Trojan Coach Henry Bibby said. “We got some easy baskets early and that made a difference.”

USC’s first four baskets were dunks: two by Sam Clancy, and one each by Jeff Trepagnier and David Bluthenthal. The Trojans shot a season-high 58.3% in the first half and opened a 56-23 lead.

All five Trojans starters finished in double figures. But USC’s biggest edge came from its smallest player. Point guard Brandon Granville, all 5 feet 8 of him, led all scorers with 20 points. He made six of eight shots from the field (including three three-point baskets) and five of six from the free-throw line. He added six assists and four rebounds.

“I’ve been saying all year and I’ll keep saying it, Brandon is the key to this team,” said Brian Scalabrine, who had his second career double-double (16 points and 10 rebounds) and a career-high seven assists.

“If he has a good year, we’ll be good. I will believe that from game one to game 30.”

Coach Henry Bibby reiterated the stance he made earlier in the week, saying Granville has the green light to shoot when he’s open.

“You hope a game like this can make a difference for him,” Bibby said. “It can be a confidence builder. He’s such a gutty player anyway, when he makes his shots it makes it easier for the others underneath the basket.”

Granville, who began the week with the lowest field goal percentage of all Trojan starters (30.4%), said he didn’t want to make that much out of one game. But he was glad to reward his teammates and coaches for the faith have in him.

“Every game they tell me to keep shooting,” Granville said. “So I’ll keep firing away.”

Curtis Slaughter led the Lions in scoring with 13.

The game was out of hand so early--by the 7:44 mark USC led, 41-18--Bibby was able to play Abdullah Elmagbari and Shelby Jordan, two of his last bench reserves, in the first half. And Jordan scored.

USC would reach its biggest lead of 44 points (88-44) with about five minutes to play. The second half turned into a parade of free throws. That probably kept the Trojans from going over the 100-point mark.

Bibby said that football player Sandy Fletcher would join the team either Monday or Tuesday.

“We just have to get his paperwork cleared up,” Bibby said.