THE WRITING ON (AND OFF) THE WALL THE SHOT WILL PAY AFTER ALL.

Byline: TOM HOFFARTH

On one of the empty basketball courts upstairs at the Lyon Center on the USC campus Friday morning, Aaron Burgin pounded a few dribbles into the hardwood and predicted that, if given 10 shots from beyond halfcourt, he could hit ``three or four on a good day.''

He then missed 10 in a row.

Not that Burgin can't do it. He did so the other day - sort of.

The Monday after Thanksgiving, at halftime of the Trojans' game against UC Santa Barbara, the USC sophomore nailed a halfcourt set shot during a contest that a few hundred witnessed in amazement at the Sports Arena.

That clinched a $10,000 scholarship, which, at USC, covers about one semester's worth of class units. No wonder Burgin danced around the court like the Trojans finally won the NCAA title.

``I felt it was an act of divine providence,'' said the financially strapped communications major, swishing a few from beyond the 3-point arc as he talked Friday. ``I cried that night I was so happy.''

The feat shouldn't have been that much a surprise. Two years ago, Burgin was one of the best hoop players at Birmingham High of Van Nuys before an injury ended his senior season. Sure, he could have had a chance at a Division I scholarship had he went to a junior college for a few years. But growing up in the USC neighborhood - he was bused out to Birmingham - he couldn't pass up a chance to enroll at the university when it accepted his application.

The surprise, as it turned out, was the chain of events that followed his heave.

Two days later, USC's marketing department informed him there was a problem. Not that he banked it - ``I called glass,'' he admitted. But a videotape showed he stepped over the halfcourt line (which doesn't really exist at center court because the USC logo is in the way).

Also, before that shot, Burgin was over the line on a 3-point make. To legitimately win the scholarship, he had to convert a layup, free throw, 3-pointer and halfcourt shot within 25 seconds. The rules, according to SCA Promotions, the Dallas-based company that assumes the risks and funds these kind of contests, were clear. Each participant signs a paper agreeing to it.

Burgin didn't dispute the evidence. But in the spirit of the contest, he wondered what advantage actually was gained.

``No one had won that contest in 10 years,'' he said as he tried - and missed - another one from halfcourt Friday. ``I thought I gave everyone a thrill. I wasn't saying the decision was unfair, but ...''

An emotional sort who wasn't about to sit still, Burgin told a group of reporters about what happened at the next USC home game about a week later. That got some media attention, but not enough to change the decision or make USC look any less like the villain, even though the ruling was out of their hands.

``I'd like to pay him, but the money's not ours to give,'' said Dan Brewster, USC's director of event marketing.

More backlash came on one USC fan Web site, where postings called Burgin a ``money-grubbing kid'' who broke the rules and didn't deserve the payout. Burgin was crushed.

After several meetings with USC athletic-department officials, Burgin decided to e-mail SCA Promotions directly and explain his case.

Look at it this way, the 19-year-old wrote. My mother has been sick off and on and hasn't been able to work. My father, employed at a shipping company, just got laid off. The family is trying to support my older sister at Berkeley, my younger sister at UCLA and two more sisters in high school and junior high. I have no money in my checking account, I'm delinquent two months on some loans for tuition and a computer and I might not be able to register for the spring semester.

``I've been in a free-fall,'' Burgin said, launching another from halfcourt. It hit the side of the rim and bounced off.

Eventually, someone listened. Thursday, SCA decided it would give him a $2,500 make-good award. All sides thought that was fair. Burgin actually was relieved something was resolved and, with other scholarship money, he probably could re-enroll for the spring semester that begins in about five weeks.

By Friday afternoon, the news was even better. SCA announced it would send the entire $10,000 by express mail so USC would get it by Monday.

``We agree it was a close call and we felt he handled it pretty good after reading his persuasive e-mail,'' said Bob Hamman, president of SCA Promotions. ``We decided to fund the balance out of our own pocket.''

It was, of course, a pretty wise public-relations move. ESPN had asked for a tape of the Shot Heard 'Round The Sports Arena for a possible ``SportsCenter'' story. This helps SCA avoid further negative media publicity.

``We are extremely happy for him, too,'' USC's Brewster added now that the school is off the hook.

Is Burgin happy? We tried to track him down to ask Friday night but couldn't find him. We suspect he was out celebrating, having a good time, overjoyed and relieved.

Even if he never again hits a shot from halfcourt - or beyond.

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Photo:

A still photo from the videotape shows USC sophomore Aaron Burgin crossed midcourt at the Sports Arena when he made this shot Nov. 26.

Photo courtesy USC athletic department