SWEEP VICTORY FOR USC TROJANS TAKE SERIES FROM UCLA BEHIND CRAVEN USC 86, UCLA 85.

Byline: Scott Wolf  Staff Writer

USC guard Errick Craven couldn't make free throws during Wednesday morning's shootaround at the Sports Arena, but that didn't stop him from promising coach Henry Bibby a victory over UCLA that night.

``He did not shoot well,'' Bibby said. ``But he told me he would get me this one.''

Craven lived up to his words, coolly making two free throws with 4.4 seconds left to give the Trojans an 86-85 victory over UCLA in front of 10,147 at the Sports Arena.

USC swept UCLA for the first time since 1992 and Bibby earned his first sweep in seven years.

Craven admitted afterward it was difficult keeping his composure before the game-winning free throws.

``I tried to stay calm but it was real hard,'' he said. ``The tradition and trying to sweep for the first time in 11 years. I told myself I knew I was a good shooter, and I knew I could shoot free throws.

``(Jason) Kapono tried to say some stuff (before I shot), but I blocked it out. It was a blur to me.''

UCLA guard Jon Crispin took the inbounds pass and drove hurriedly downcourt before trying an off-balance 3-pointer that hit the backboard but missed the rim.

``We thought they might switch their defense on Kapono, so we wanted to get it to either Crispin or (Dijon) Thompson,'' UCLA coach Steve Lavin said. ``We wanted to get deeper in the paint. We had (T.J.) Cummings open in the short corner, but the shot missed.''

No one was more confident Craven would make the free throws than his twin brother, Derrick, who drew USC (9-9 overall, 5-5 in Pacific-10 Conference) within 85-84 with a shot that bounced off the heel of the rim, then fell into the basket.

``I knew my brother knocks those down,'' Derrick said. ``I could see it in his face. It's a very satisfying win. It's for the seniors. They've never (swept UCLA).''

Ironically, as Errick Craven drove for his shot in the final seconds, guard Desmon Farmer was wide open.

``Yeah, I was open, but that's Errick Craven,'' Farmer said, jokingly.

The last three minutes were frantic, with the lead changing seven times. UCLA (4-14, 2-8) led 85-84 when forward T.J. Cummings missed a 3-pointer with 10 seconds left just as the 35-second clock expired. That set up Errick Craven's drive to the basket, where he was fouled by Ryan Walcott.

Craven's free throws gave the Trojans their 86-85 advantage. Bibby then called two timeouts before the Bruins inbounded the ball to Crispin, even though the Bruins were out of timeouts.

``UCLA's a dangerous team and a pretty good team,'' Bibby said. ``They came in here tonight to win the game. They have nothing to hang their heads about.''

Farmer (28 points, nine rebounds) scored nine of USC's final 13 points.

``It was just coming for me. I felt capable of taking big shots,'' Farmer said.

UCLA sophomore Dijon Thompson scored a career-high 25 points and Kapono and Ray Young each added 12.

The Bruins trailed 66-56 before making their comeback, asThompson scored 10 points in the final eight minutes.

Errick Craven made just seven of 21 shots, but was 5 of 11 in the second half.

``They looked good in the first half but they kept hitting the back of the rim,'' Craven said.

--Notes: USC forward Gregg Guenther (Taft of Woodland Hills), who is a tight end on the football team, spoke to football coach Pete Carroll on Wednesday and received permission to remain with the basketball team for the rest of the season. USC begins spring practice March 4, which is two games before the end of the regular season. The Pac-10 Tournament is the following weekend.

``Basketball comes first, he's representing the school,'' Carroll said. Carroll, who received a standing ovation from fans when he entered the Sports Arena, rang the Victory Bell at halftime, which goes to the winner of the USC-UCLA football game.

USC swept UCLA in football and basketball for the first time since 1941.

Tipoff for USC's game Sunday at Nevada-Las Vegas has been switched to 12:45 p.m. It was originally scheduled for 12:30 p.m.

Pac-10 supervisor of officials Lou Campanelli attended the game. He also attended Sunday's USC-Oregon game. Campanelli said Wednesday's game gave him a chance to see a rivalry game and also observe officials he hadn't seen this season.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) USC's Rory O'Neil, right, fights for the ball Wednesday with UCLA's Jason Kapono.

Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer

(2) UCLA's Ray Young sits dejected on the bench during USC's victory Wednesday at the Sports Arena.

Associated Press