Trojans’ Streak on Line Against Winless Alcorn

USC Coach Tim Floyd has attributed much of the Trojans’ success during a six-game winning streak to losing their first two games and “treating teams with respect” as a result.

That trend might be hard to sustain this afternoon when USC plays winless Alcorn State at the Sports Arena.

The Braves, in the midst of a season-opening stretch of 11 road games, are 0-6, with losses to Sam Houston State and Stephen F. Austin. Alcorn State’s leading scorer, junior forward Clifton Douglass, averages 14.8 points off the bench.

It could be easy for the Trojans to be caught looking ahead to No. 19 North Carolina, which visits the Sports Arena on Wednesday.

USC junior guard Lodrick Stewart said the Trojans simply must continue to play the unselfish brand of basketball they exhibited Friday during a 77-62 victory over Western Michigan. USC had 22 assists on its 25 baskets and avoided the one-pass-and-hoist-it-up mentality that had plagued it earlier in the season.

“We’re playing good team ball,” said Stewart, who had 16 points, five rebounds and three assists. “Everyone’s sharing the ball, and it’s bringing everyone’s confidence up.”

The Trojans also maintained their aggressive man-to-man defense against the Broncos longer than in narrow victories over Brigham Young and Loyola Marymount.

Western Michigan made only 36.2% of its shots, the fifth time in the last six games that USC has held an opponent under 40%. The Trojans also forced 21 turnovers.

“USC, we have to give them credit,” Western Michigan Coach Steve Hawkins said. “They are a tough team. They are a different team this year with Tim Floyd.”

Said Trojan sophomore guard Gabe Pruitt: “We just had more effort. Coach really stressed that in practice.”

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TODAY

vs. Alcorn State, 2 p.m.

Site -- Sports Arena.

Radio -- 1540.

Records -- USC 6-2, Alcorn State 0-6.

Update -- USC’s starters made 21 of 22 free throws against Western Michigan, but it was a far different story for the reserves. Freshman forward Jeremy Barr made one of eight free throws and walk-on forward Reed Doucette missed both of his. “Those are things you work on,” Floyd said. “Obviously, it could have been a little different margin had we been able to make free throws late.” Alcorn State and USC have never met.

Tickets -- (213) 740-4672.