Apology, but It’s Still a Loss

USC Coach Henry Bibby said he received an official letter of apology from Pacific 10 Conference Commissioner Tom Hansen on Wednesday morning, before the Trojans’ white-knuckle 76-69 victory over UCLA, in reference to the Trojans’ loss at California last Thursday.

Replays of the game’s final seconds showed Derrick Craven dragged down in the key by A.J. Diggs as he elevated for a possible game-winning shot. No foul was called and the Golden Bears won, 63-62.

“[The letter] said a mistake was made and they were going to talk to the officials about it,” Bibby said.

“We still lost the game, so it doesn’t really help our cause.”

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When USC’s Desmon Farmer made a three-point basket 12 minutes into Thursday’s victory over UCLA, giving the Trojans a 26-16 lead, he turned with a toothy grin toward the Bruin student section and was greeted with raised middle fingers.

Farmer was just getting started, the senior guard finishing with a game-high 28 points.

“That’s what gets me up,” said Farmer, who has averaged 27 points in the Trojans’ three-game winning streak against the Bruins.

“They taunt me, that makes me play even better. I just smile and laugh at them a little bit. They helped me out.”

With three three-point baskets, Farmer tied Harold Miner for second place on USC’s career list with 176.

Farmer also pulled within a point of John Block (1,423 points) for ninth place on the school’s scoring chart.

“I didn’t even know about that,” Farmer said. “I’m not worried about records. I’m just playing and trying to get victories.”

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USC had three surprise starters in junior point guard Derrick Craven (in place of freshman Rodrick Stewart), freshman shooting guard Lodrick Stewart (for junior Errick Craven), and junior forward Nick Curtis (in place of junior center Rory O’Neil).

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On Tuesday, Bibby seemed to be former UCLA Coach Steve Lavin’s biggest booster. Perhaps because he had won three of the last four games against the current ESPN analyst.

“You can’t bash Steve Lavin,” Bibby said. “He’s done a nice job over there. He’s had one down year in [seven] years.... that’s not bad.

“Until someone else can come over there and do that, then I don’t think you can really compare the two coaches.

“Steve Lavin did a pretty good job over there, it’s just expectations are so high over there ... and they should be over there because of what they’ve done. They have the tradition over there.”

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UCLA had hoped that the return of guard Brian Morrison from a hamstring injury would spark the team. But he missed all four of his shots, including three from three-point range, and had one point.

“I was really excited to be able to play,” he said. “My leg felt fine.”