Gibson tries to shake his slump

A rebound here, a tip-in there.

That’s pretty much all that is separating USC sophomore forward Taj Gibson from last season’s success in the opinion of his coach, Tim Floyd.

Gibson’s averages have slipped a bit from last season, when he averaged 12.2 points and 8.7 rebounds on the way to becoming a member of the Pacific 10 Conference all-freshman team.

The Wooden Award and Naismith Trophy candidate is averaging 8.4 points and 7.9 rebounds after a four-game slide in which his averages dipped to 3.5 points and 5.8 rebounds while he fouled out three times.

“I think he’s getting better shots than he got a year ago; he’s just not finishing,” Floyd said of Gibson, who missed a dunk and at least one other shot from point-blank range Monday against Delaware State.

Gibson has also left a lot of points at the free-throw line, making only 24 of 43 (55.8%). A sore left ankle that has bothered Gibson since late October hasn’t helped, but it’s not the only factor hindering his game.

“He’s a rebound or two away from where he was a year ago, which also leads to one more put-back in a game, one more foul [shooting] opportunity,” Floyd said.

“And I think the rebounding has to do with the fewer minutes because of fouls.”

Gibson is averaging nearly four fouls a game and has fouled out three times, though he committed only one foul against Delaware State. He is averaging 28.9 minutes a game, nearly four minutes less than he did as a freshman.

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Sophomore guard Dwight Lewis’ two biggest scoring games this year -- he had a career-high 18 points against South Carolina on Nov. 17 and then matched that figure against Delaware State on Monday -- have come in games the Trojans tallied at least 20 assists.

Correlation or coincidence?

“I think it’s just a coincidence,” Lewis said. “It’s not about me getting passes. Sometimes I just don’t have the looks that I have some games.”

Lewis made eight of nine shots against Delaware State and credited his teammates for creating open shots by penetrating and then passing him the ball on the wing.

Though Lewis’ scoring has wildly fluctuated this season -- he has scored five points or fewer in three games and reached double digits in six games -- Floyd said the discrepancy is a result of shot distribution and not inconsistency on Lewis’ part.

“He’s been very steady, very reliable all year long,” Floyd said of Lewis, who is averaging 10.6 points and shooting 51.9% from the field. . “He’s shot for a percentage, he’s taking great shots, he’s not trying to hit it out of the park every time he catches it like he did this time a year ago.

“He’s played within himself and has played very well. He’s a guy that we’ve got to utilize more, and we will.”

TODAY

vs. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, 5 p.m.

Site -- Galen Center.

Radio -- 710.

Records -- Cal Poly 5-5, USC 7-3.

Update -- The Mustangs have three starters back from the team that set a school record with 19 Division I victories and would have advanced to the NCAA tournament with a victory over Long Beach State in the Big West Conference tournament championship game. Junior guard Trae Clark averages 9.9 points for a balanced team that features six players averaging at least seven points.

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ben.bolch@latimes.com