DUPREE'S SPREE SURPRISE STARTER SPARKS SECOND-HALF RALLY TO PUT USC IN PAC-10 FINAL USC 89, OREGON 78.

Byline: Scott Wolf  Staff Writer

It's been so long since Jerry Dupree started a game that he thought he was the victim of a practical joke Friday night when he heard the news he would start against Oregon.

``I almost jumped out of the roof,'' Dupree said. ``I said, `For real? Don't play me like that.' ''

Dupree benefited from one of USC coach Henry Bibby's famous last-minute lineup decisions, and true to his word, nearly leapt out of Staples Center on a couple blocked shots as he sparked the Trojans' second-half comeback during an 89-78 victory over Oregon in a Pacific-10 Conference tournament semifinal game.

It was an unexpected performance in an unlikely victory, considering USC overcame a 13-point first-half deficit.

The 22nd-ranked Trojans (22-8) also defeated ninth-ranked Oregon (23- 8)for the first time this season and advanced to today's championship game against Arizona.

But in a departure from USC's usual postseason style, especially Thursday's rout of Stanford, the Trojans were hardly impressive at the outset as Oregon made seven 3-point shots in the first half.

``Our huddles were a little depressing. Bibby told us to wake up,'' forward David Bluthenthal said. ``I think they came out hot and we were defensively scattered.''

It got so bad that USC seniors Bluthenthal, Brandon Granville and Sam Clancy had only 20 points in the first half.

USC's bench kept the Trojans in the game, however, as guard Desmon Farmer had 15 points to keep the Trojans within striking distance.

``I really didn't want to lose to them three times,'' Clancy said. ``We were a little lethargic in the beginning.''

That lackadaisical feeling began to melt near the end of the first half, when USC scored 17 of the final 18 points to cut Oregon's lead to 48-45.

The Trojans then went on a 24-5 run in the second half, which concluded when Dupree had a dunk and a 15-foot jumper, and gave USC an 83-71 lead with 3:45 left. Overall, he had 12 points, four rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals, in his best game of the season.

``I walked into the locker room and out of the blue, about 10 minutes- to-5, I told the staff we should start Jerry,'' Bibby said. ``He earned time in practice and I put him in the game and he was the difference.''

Bibby wanted Dupree to defend Oregon point guard Luke Ridnour, but that wasn't really much of a factor. Instead it was his energy and big-play ability that had the crowd at Staples Center roaring their approval.

``It's been a rough year,'' Dupree said. ``I wasn't doing what I was supposed to. I know I'm not an underachiever. Bibby wouldn't have recruited me if I was. Now I realize it's time for me to push hard.''

As USC prepares for the NCAA Tournament, the Trojans have a different look with Farmer and Dupree taking vital roles the past two games.

``They've been the MVP's of this tournament,'' Granville said. ``They bring a lot of energy off the bench. They really provide a lift.''

The Trojans' veterans regrouped in the second half, as Granville finished with 17 points and nine assists, Clancy had 16 points and eight rebounds and Bluthenthal added 13 points and eight rebounds.

The game was nearly a repeat of last week's last-second Oregon victory,when Clancy picked up his fourth foul with 7:23 left and the Trojans leading by five (73-68). Unlike last week, Bibby refused to take Clancy out of the game.

``I never thought about taking him out,'' Bibby said. ``I had eight other people that wanted to take him out. I looked at Sam and he nodded and understood and backed off on defense.''

Clancy never came close to picking up his fifth foul, perhaps a sign of the sharp mental focus the Trojans have exhibited over the past two days.

``I think we're more on edge and Bibby's more on edge,'' Bluthenthal said. ``It's because of his experience in the postseason and his survival attitude.''

So far, it's taken the Trojans to the Pac-10 championship game.

``We feel we can compete with a lot of people,'' Bibby said. ``They dug deeper today and made it happen.''

--Notes: USC set a school and Pac-10 record by making 22 of 22 free throws, the most without a miss. The Trojans made 15 of 15 in 1992. For the first time this season, USC had six guys in double figures. ... Clancy is now tied for third on the Pac-10 all-time blocks list and third on USC's career rebounding list.

USC vs. ARIZONA

Tipoff: 3 p.m., Staples Center.

TV/Radio: Ch. 2; 1540-AM.

USC (22-8) update: Some of the Trojans, such as senior Sam Clancy, preferred to play California in today's conference title game. ``I wanted to play Cal because they beat us twice and I had a bad game the last time so I had to redeem myself,'' Clancy said. Instead, the Trojans get the Wildcats, with whom they split their two meetings - Arizona winning 97-80 in Tucson and USC winning 94-89 at the Sports Arena. Against Oregon, USC had six players score in double figures for the first time all season.

Arizona (21-9) update: The No. 15 Wildcats won their third consecutive game and advanced to the tournament final against USC. Arizona and USC split their regular season series with Arizona losing to USC 94-89 on Feb. 16. The Wildcats have four players who average double figures in scoring, led by guard Jason Gardner (20.7 points per game) and forward Luke Walton (15.5).

- Scott Wolf

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, 3 boxes

Photo:

(1 -- color) Jerry Dupree, who was one of six USC players to score in double figures, celebrates after the Trojans defeated Oregon 89-78.

Edna T. Simpson/Staff Photographer

(2) Sam Clancy, who finished with 16 points for USC, battles Oregon's Mark Michaelis in the first half.

Phil McCarten/Staff Photographer

Box:

(1) PAC-10 TOURNAMENT

(2) USC vs. ARIZONA (see text)

(3) GAME RECAP