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 basketball team is opening some eyes with its surprising play, the student section at the Sports Arena was filled for the first time this season 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 made the Trojans look every bit like the last-place team they remembered from last season.

USC eventually woke up and showed 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,'' Trojans coach Tim Floyd said of the Huskies. ``Where we felt it most was on the glass. We just got manhandled on the boards.''

The Trojans committed six turnovers and were dominated on the boards 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 lead proved too difficult to overcome.

``That's what they do, they score the basketball,'' Pruitt said. ``We kind of came out lackadaisical. Maybe it was jitters, maybe not. But you can't let teams start out like that.''

After going scoreless in the first half, Pruitt drilled six 3-pointers in the second half. He finished with a team-high 21 points.

Down 58-42, USC appeared to be on the way to being blown out. But consecutive 3-pointers by Pruitt got USC within eight points with 10 minutes to go.

Pruitt hit another 3-pointer to pull the Trojans to within four, 70-66, and USC later cut the deficit to 73-70 on two free throws by Dwayne Shackleford.

But that was as close as USC would get.

Bobby Jones hit a difficult 3-pointer for Washington, then after Pruitt made two free throws, Mike Jenson nailed a 3-pointer for the Huskies. Jones followed with a steal and dunk to get Washington's lead back up to nine, 81-72.

Jones finished with 22 points, and Brandon Roy led Washington with 23.

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

``The thing you got to love about this team is we keep fighting,'' Pruitt said. ``We just got down a little too much.''

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