BIBBY LECTURE HITS HOME AS TROJANS ROMP : USC 83, WASH ST. 62.

Byline: Scott Wolf Daily News Staff Writer

The last home game of the season also meant one more halftime for USC to get chewed out in its locker room.

No, Saturday night's Sports Arena season finale didn't start out much differently than many others for USC, as Trojans coach Henry Bibby took his team to task for a lackadaisical effort.

But unlike the majority of their Pacific-10 Conference home games, the Trojans acted upon Bibby's words and routed Washington State 83-62 before 3,094.

The Trojans played their final 20 minutes before the home crowd with energy and intensity, holding Washington State to just 23 points. And they sealed the victory with a 20-2 scoring blitz seven minutes into the half that included a trio of 3-pointers from senior guard Elias Ayuso.

So what did Bibby say at halftime, when USC held a slim 42-39 lead?

``You don't want to know,'' Bibby replied. ``In the first half, we played no defense. They scored every time they wanted to.''

Bibby's message worked, because USC's defense in the second half was as stingy as Thursday night, when the Trojans held Washington to 57 points.

``Coach told us we needed to pick it up,'' Ayuso said. ``He said, `This is the last-place team in the Pac-10 and they are starting to smell some blood.'''

Ayuso played a major role in quelling Washington State's upset bid, scoring 15 points in the second half and finishing with 18 in his final home game. Ayuso also had a career-high six steals and moved into second place on USC's all-time career 3-pointers list with 157.

``It's kind of sad it came this fast,'' Ayuso said. ``But it's time for everyone to move on. You can't stay in college forever. I wanted to do well because this is my last home game.''

The victory secured a winning record for USC (14-11, 6-10) in the regular season, and more importantly, kept their slim hopes alive for a bid to the National Invitation Tournament.

Center Brian Scalabrine, who had a game-high 20 points, said USC needs to sweep its two games in Arizona this week for a chance at postseason play.

``Personally, with Cal's situation, I think we have to win two,'' Scalabrine said. ``Against Arizona (in Tucson), our backs are against the wall.''

Cal (16-10, 6-10) has two road games remaining against the Oregon schools.

``Our initial goal was to go to the NCAA Tournament,'' Scalabrine said. ``This year, to make a step forward, we have to go to a tournament.''

Bibby, who is loath to discuss the NIT, did attach significance to the winning season.

``It means everything,'' he said. ``You can look back and say we have made progress. I'm very pleased and proud of them. Everyone's expectations have been super high. After the nonconference season, I realized we were in for a dogfight in the Pac-10. My expectations dropped then. We had a lot of growing pains, but we've made progress.''

Notes: USC has won two straight games for the first time since Dec. 29-Jan. 2, when the Trojans defeated Arkansas State and Arizona State.

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PHOTO USC defender David Bluthenthal, right, cuts off the drive of Washington State's Chris Crosby.

Kevin Karzin/Associated Press