Late Doubts Turn Into Relief

It was just over two minutes into the second half of USC’s eventual 86-68 win over Washington State on Saturday night that doubt began creeping into the Trojans’ minds.

The last-place Cougars, who had not won a road game in more than two years, had gone up by a game-high seven points on the Trojans, who, it would turn out, needed a victory to qualify for this week’s eight-team Pacific 10 Conference tournament.

“I was thinking, ‘Hopefully this ain’t happening again,’ ” said USC junior forward Jerry Dupree, referring to the seven-game losing streak the Trojans brought into the game.

It didn’t as doubt was replaced by relief.

“We lost a little bit of knowing how to do things,” said USC Coach Henry Bibby. “We didn’t know how to win. When you lose so many games in a row, you’re shell-shocked.”

Said Dupree: “We’ve got some young guys but this is basketball and age is just a number.”

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Desmon Farmer is at his best when he’s taking three-point shots in transition.

Farmer’s three-pointer with six minutes remaining not only gave the Trojans a 10-point cushion, it ensured that the junior would average at least 20 points in Pac-10 play.

“I play to win and the points just come with it,” said Farmer, who finished third in conference games with a 20.4 average, behind California’s Joe Shipp (21.5) and Oregon’s Luke Ridnour (20.7).

Farmer became only the fourth Trojan since 1976 to average at least 20 points in conference, joining Sam Clancy (21.1 in 2002), Harold Miner (three times -- 26.9 in 1992, 23.6 in 1991 and 20.5 in 1990) and Derrick Dowell (20.4 in 1987).

Farmer, who scored a combined 500 points in his freshman and sophomore seasons, is also four points away from becoming the 27th member of USC’s 1,000-point club.