TROJANS BREAK DOWN ON WAY TO FINISH LINE USC MAKES SERIES OF LATE MISTAKES WASHINGTON STATE 58, USC 55.Byline: MATTHEW KREDELL Staff Writer This is the sort of game that could haunt USC An abbreviation for U.S. Code. as it tries to make the NCAA Tournament NCAA Tournament can mean: Men's Sports
A blown double-digit lead in the second half, two missed free throws late, a defensive breakdown after a potential game-winning 3-pointer and an offensive foul before a last-second shot could be attempted -- there was no shortage of blunders for the Trojans to regret. Following two statement victories over ranked teams, USC let one get away in a 58-55 loss to Washington State in front of 5,924 fans at Galen Center History USC had planned to build an on-campus indoor arena for over 100 years. Before the Galen Center, USC basketball had been played at a variety of locations, including the neighboring Shrine Auditorium stage, the old Pan-Pacific Auditorium in the Fairfax District, and since . ``It's heartbreaking,'' freshman forward Taj Gibson Taj Gibson is an African American basketball power forward. College career Gibson plays at the University of Southern California. He was named to the 2007 Pac-10 All freshman team. said. ``You feel like you have the game won, and then they come back and hit the game- winner on you. It's one of the baddest feelings in the world.'' Gabe Pruitt Gabriel Michael Pruitt (born on April 19, 1986 in Los Angeles, California) is an African American basketball player with the Boston Celtics. Biography College career On April 27 Pruitt announced that he registered for the 2007 NBA Draft. hit a 3-pointer with nine seconds left to give the USC a 55-54 lead. The Cougars, who usually are deliberately slow in moving the ball upcourt, passed the ball in before the Trojans could begin their celebration and quickly advanced it to Kyle Weaver. The junior guard went right toward the basket and elevated for an 8-foot runner over Nick Young that banked in with 4.4 seconds remaining. Young took the inbound pass and sprinted up the sideline, where Weaver stepped in front of him at midcourt and got a charging call. Robbie Cowgill made twofree throws for Washington State with six-tenths of a second left, and the Trojans' long pass intended for Dwight Lewis was batted away. ``The ref made his call,'' Young said of the charge. ``I thought it was going to go the other way, but he made the final call.'' The loss was only the second for USC (11-4, 1-1) at Galen Center and snapped a nine-game home winning streak Noun 1. winning streak - a streak of wins streak, run - an unbroken series of events; "had a streak of bad luck"; "Nicklaus had a run of birdies" . USC led 38-27 on a 3-pointer by Lodrick Stewart Lodrick Stewart is a basketball player. He has a twin brother, Roderick, who plays basketball at the University of Kansas. Pro career Stewart graduated from USC in 2007 and will prepare to enter the 2007 NBA Draft. His agent is Jerome Kersey. that finished off a 9-0 run. The Cougars roared back to take a 47-46 lead on a 3-pointer from the top of the key by Daven da·ven intr.v. da·vened, da·ven·ing, da·vens To recite Jewish liturgical prayers. Harmeling with 5:12 to go. Coincidentally, Pete Carroll and members of the Rose Bowl-bound USC football team took seats in the student section during the second half and were shown on the scoreboard at about the same time things started going wrong for the Trojans. Down 50-46, Stewart hit another 3-pointer to get USC within a point. Stewart then had the chance to give the Trojans the lead but missed the front end of a one-and-one. The next trip down, Gibson got to the free-throw line with 2:13 left but could only hit oneof two free throws to tie the score. Harmeling made another 3-pointer, and Weaver hit a free throw, sandwiched around a layup by Gibson, to give Washington State a two-point lead before Pruitt's 3-pointer from the right side put the Trojans ahead. ``There were a couple of plays where we slacked off a little bit, and they hit big shots,'' Pruitt said. ``We didn't stay poised like we normally do. We kind of let up on the defensive end down the stretch.'' Young led the Trojans with 14 points, 10 of them in the second half. Gibson had 11 points, and Lewis added 11 off the bench. USC was coming off victories over then-No.8 Wichita State and No.14 Washington and has No. 20 Oregon coming up Thursday. Washington State (12-2, 1-1) may not be ranked, but it is no slouch slouch v. slouched, slouch·ing, slouch·es v.intr. 1. To sit, stand, or walk with an awkward, drooping, excessively relaxed posture. 2. To droop or hang carelessly, as a hat. v. , having lost to No.1 UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX by three points Thursday. ``I think Washington State is on the verge On the Verge (or The Geography of Yearning) is a play written by Eric Overmyer. It makes extensive use of esoteric language and pop culture references from the late nineteenth century to 1955. of being ranked,'' Pruitt said. ``We treated them as a ranked team as well.'' The loss could sap momentum from the Trojans, who haven't started 2-0 in Pac-10 play since the 2001-02 season, the last time they made the NCAA Tournament. ``We let one down,'' Gibson said. ``We should have won this game. Now it's back to the drAWING BOARD.'' MATTHEW.KREDELL CAPTION(S): photo Photo: USC's Taj Gibson blocks a layup by Washington State's Aron Baynes in the first half. Gus Ruelas/Associated Press |
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