SLOW START CATCHES UP TO TROJANS COMEBACK FALLS SHORT IN LOSS TO HUSKIES WASHINGTON 86, USC 77.

Byline: Matthew Kredell Staff Writer

In a sure sign that the USC is opening some eyes with its surprising basketball play, the student section was filled for the first time this season when the Trojans took on Washington at the Sports Arena on Thursday.

Back from winter break and over their football fever, the students came to check out this improved team they had been hearing about.

But turnovers, defensive letdowns and lack of effort on the glass to open the game looked every bit like the last-place team they remembered from last season.

USC woke up to display the desire and hustle that has marked its turnaround, but it was too late to overcome a disastrous start in an 86-77 loss to No. 13 Washington in front of 4,561.

``That team played harder than any team that's come into our building,'' USC coach Tim Floyd said. ``Where we felt it most was on the glass. We just got manhandled on the boards.''

The Trojans committed six turnovers and were dominated in rebounds over the first 11:30 of the game to fall behind 25-6.

USC closed the deficit to 45-32 at halftime and stormed back in the second half behind the hot shooting of Gabe Pruitt. But spotting the top-scoring team in the nation a 19-point proved too difficult to overcome.

After going scoreless in the first half, Pruitt drilled six 3-pointers in the second half. He finished with 21 points. Lodrick Stewart, playing against his hometown team, added 15 points. Nick Young also scored 16.

The Trojans appeared on the way to a blowout loss, down 58-42. Consecutive 3-pointers by Pruitt got USC within eight points with 10 minutes to go.

Pruitt hit another 3-pointer to make the score 70-66, and the Trojans later closed the deficit to 73-70 on free throws by Dwayne Shackleford.

But that was as close as USC would get. Washington showed why it is the top scoring team in the conference and the country, averaging 90 points per game.

Bobby Jones hit a difficult 3-pointer. Then, after Pruitt made two free throws, Mike Jenson nailed a 3 for the Huskies. Jones followed with a steal and dunk to get the Huskies lead back up to 81-72. Jones finished with 22. Brandon Roy, Stewart's good friend and rival since high school, led Washington with 23.

USC's effort kept the game from becoming like last year's 25- and 30-point losses to the Huskies.

``I think 76 points is enough to win a college basketball game,'' Floyd said. ``We just didn't stop them.''

Matthew Kredell, [phone]

matthew.kredell(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

Washington's Jamaal Williams, left, is challenged by USC's Nick Young as Lodrick Stewart (3) looks on during Thursday's game at the Sports Arena.

John McCoy/Staff Photographer