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 later that night.

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

Craven lived up to his promise, 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 to keep his composure before the 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 blockedit out. It was a blur to me.''

UCLA guard Jon Crispin took the inbound pass, drove hurriedly downcourt and unloaded an off-balance shot from 3-point range that hit the backboard but missed the rim.

Craven's twin brother, Derrick, was much more confident he could hit the game-winning free throws.

``I knew my brother knocks those down,'' he said. ``I could see it in his face.''

The victory improved USC's record to 9-9 overall and 5-5 in the Pacific-10 Conference. UCLA dropped to 4-14 and 2-8.

``UCLA's a dangerous team and a pretty good team,'' Bibby said. ``They came in here tonight to win the game.''

The last three minutes were frantic, with the lead changing seven times.

UCLA led 85-84 when forward T.J. Cummings missed a 3-pointer with 10 seconds left just as the 35-second clock expired. Errick Craven then drove to the basket and was fouled by Ryan Walcott with 4.4 seconds.

After Craven made both shots, Bibby called two timeouts before UCLA inbounded the ball even though the Bruins were out of timeouts.

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

The Trojans led most of the second half, until falling behind in the final five minutes.

UCLA opened the second half with a 3-pointer by Dijon Thompson to give the Bruins a 39-34 lead, but USC then outscored the Bruins 23-9 to give the Trojans a 57-48 lead with 12:13 left. Errick Craven scored 10 points during the run while Farmer added seven.

The lead grew to 10 points (66-56) on a driving shot by Roy Smiley, but UCLA cut it back to five on a 3-pointer by Crispin and basket by Kapono. Walcott and Kapono hit back-to-back 3-pointers to cut USC's advantage to 71-70 with 5:02 left.

Walcott hit another 3-pointer to give the Bruins a 75-73 advantage but Farmer answered with a 3-point basket to retake the lead.

UCLA guard Cedric Bozeman limped off the court with 3:33 remaining in the first half after colliding with USC guard Robert Hutchinson but returned to start the second half.

Perhaps befitting the struggling status of both programs, neither school established much momentum in the first half and both teams' biggest advantage was five points. The Trojans shot just 34 percent in the first half, with Errick Craven going 2 for 10. UCLA shot 47 percent.

The half was fairly sloppy, as USC had 12 turnovers while UCLA committed 11. Neither team could convert on 3-pointers, as the Bruins were 2 for 10 and the Trojans 2 for 8. Rory O'Neil led USC with 10 points while Thompson had 10 for the Bruins.

Troubled forward Jerry Dupree, who was suspended from Sunday's Oregon game by Bibby, entered the contest with 8:22 left in the first half. He committed a charging foul 35 seconds later.

--Notes: USC forward Gregg Guenther from Taft High in 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, in addition to the Pacific-10 Conference Tournament.

``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.

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.

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