Charting The Lead

First Half

What Happened: USC unleashed a variety of presses that confused and intimidated Arizona from the outset. During the first timeout four minutes into the game, Wildcat forward Luke Walton angrily called out his teammates, asking them if they were scared. USC forward Jerry Dupree blocked four shots, the Trojans forced 10 first-half turnovers and held Arizona to 36.7% shooting. USC led by 13 after a layup by point guard Brandon Granville with 5:20 left in the half, but Arizona clawed back. Keyed by forward Rick Anderson’s three-point basket and two free throws, the Wildcats scored 10 of the next 14 points and pulled within 39-31 at the break.

*

What You Won’t Find in the Box Score: Fortune smiled on USC early when Granville got his signals crossed and threw an alley-oop pass with no one breaking to the basket. No matter, the pass went through the hoop, giving the Trojans a 10-8 lead.

*

Winning Number: The Trojans got balanced scoring, with six players making either two or three field goals and all but Granville making at least half their shots.

*

Wrong Number: Walton, who leads Arizona with a 6.3 assist average, had zero. He also took 13 shots--six more than any other Wildcat--making four.

*

Leading Scorers: USC--David Bluthenthal 9, Desmon Farmer 8. Arizona--Salim Stoudamire 11, Walton 10.

*

Leading Rebounders: USC--Dupree 4, Errick Craven 4. Arizona--Anderson 5, Isaiah Fox 4.

*

Second Half

What Happened: Arizona’s stunning 50-32 second-half surge began with Luke Walton’s three-point play. Salim Stoudamire scored eight points in a three-minute span and the Wildcats took the lead, 44-43, on a basket by Rick Anderson. They quickly stretched the margin to seven and USC made one fleeting counterpunch, pulling to within 56-54 on reserve center Rory O’Neil’s only basket of the game with 7:15 left. Arizona went on a 13-5 run and led by at least six the rest of the way.

*

What You Won’t Find in the Box Score: USC lost its legs and its composure, forcing shots, turning over the ball and committing silly fouls. Coach Henry Bibby also lost his poise at a crucial juncture, drawing a technical foul for repeatedly berating official Charlie Range with 1:50 to play and his team down by eight. Stoudamire made both free throws.

*

Winning Number: Walton bounced back from his poor first half, passing for eight assists and making seven of seven free throws. Stoudamire made all five of his shots and finished the game five for six from three-point range.

*

Wrong Number: Conference most valuable player Sam Clancy of USC made three of 10 shots, had only two rebounds and afterward complained of Arizona’s rough play.

*

Leading Scorers: Arizona--Stoudamire 18, Walton 13. USC--David Bluthenthal 7, Desmon Farmer 7, Brandon Granville 7.

*

Leading Rebounders: Arizona--Rick Anderson 4, Isaiah Fox 4, Channing Frye 4. USC--Bluthenthal 5.