BRUINS EKE OUT 2-POINT VICTORY\Trojans barely miss big upset\UCLA 61, USC 59.

Byline: Gary Washburn Daily News Staff Writer

The words "City Champions," were scribbled on the board of the UCLA locker room. On the other side, a USC official was ripping down from the wall a UCLA school newspaper article that blasted the Trojans' basketball program.

It wasn't pretty. It couldn't have ended any worse for USC. UCLA teased and tantalized the Trojans with the taste of victory. And on his 21st birthday, Charles O'Bannon streaked through the air - with a double pump - and wiped that taste from the Trojans' mouths. His 12-foot jumper with 0.4 seconds left gave the Bruins a 61-59 victory in front of 9,433 at the Sports Arena - and the Trojans broken hearts.

"A double-pumped jumper from the baseline," USC forward Jaha Wilson said. "I can't believe it. It was lucky."

O'Bannon's high school teammate, Avondre Jones, tied the game at 59-59 with 10 seconds left with two pressure-packed free throws.

Without a timeout, UCLA's Toby Bailey rushed the ball into the frontcourt threw it to O'Bannon, who between Jones and Tyson Reuter, leaned in for the game-winner.

"I didn't know it was in until it hit the net, actually," O'Bannon said. "I wanted to shoot a jumper because I didn't think I had time for a layup."

Wilson ran off the court immediately, too frustrated because this was supposed to be the Trojans' night. They dominated the boards (33-26), limited UCLA (19-6, 12-2) to a handful of fastbreaks and canned 13 of 17 second-half free throws to offset a bad shooting night.

The game went back and forth the entire second half. A 9-0 UCLA run gave it a 45-44 lead with 11:27 left. Reuter's 3-pointer gave USC a 55-52 lead with 3:47 left.

The teams matched each other hoop for hoop, word for word. But O'bannon had the final word.

The shocking-upset ending was spoiled for USC interim Henry Bibby, the two-time UCLA All-American trying to beat his former school.

A win would have done wonders. Recruiting would have boosted, Bibby's chances of being named head coach would have greatly increased - they still might - and the program's sagging confidence would have been rejuvenated.

Now?

"This is going to stick with us for a long time," Wilson said. "This really hurts. I really don't know what else to say."

With forward Maurice Strong out with knee tendinitis, the Trojans suited up just seven scholarship players. Despite that, USC (11-15, 4-10 in the Pacific 10) came out looking strong and well-coached.

Point guard Stais Boseman (game-high 22 points) controlled the tempo most of the evening, as Bibby directed him to run a patient offense, disallowing a UCLA track meet. It worked. The Bruins scored just 27 points in the first half. UCLA's five started scored just 42 points, including a quiet nine points by Bailey.

It was a well-orchestrated Wooden game plan, it just didn't get Wooden results.

"We played with poise and patience," Bibby said. "We were a focused team. I want to coach that type of team."

If anyone wanted to see Bibby's effectiveness, he only had to look at Jones, the enigmatic 6-foot-11 center who was allowed back in uniform after a four-game suspension.

He started, picked up his customary three first-half fouls but played 11:19 of the second half without picking up his fifth foul. He played tough defense and added 13 points despite 4-of-12 shooting.

And those final free throws seemed as if they could have decided the fate of his USC career. He swished them both.

"I knew coach Bibby has confidence in me and I wanted to play as hard as I can," Jones said. "It's a tough way to lose. We played our hearts out, but we lost the game."

Bibby might at least garner some serious consideration for the permanent job. He had the Trojans on the verge of their biggest upset in years, all with limited resources.

But redshirt forward Rodrick Rhodes was watching, and so were several recruits and a unusually jumping Sports Arena crowd.

With this season lost, Jones, Boseman and Wilson, all juniors, have only next year to hold onto.

"I'll tell you one thing," Jones said. "This losing is going to stop. Losing at SC is going to stop. I know that."

CAPTION(S):

PHOTO

Photo (color) USC's Damion Dawson reacts to being bumped by UCLA's Toby Bailey in first-half action. David Sprague / Daily News