TROJANS STEAL THIS VICTORY USC 82, STANFORD 71.

Byline: Matthew Kredell Staff Writer

All the momentum USC built in nonconference games wouldn't mean much if the Trojans started out 0-2 at home to begin Pacific-10 Conference play.

Grasping the importance of the game, the Trojans came out with a defensive fire and forced 13 steals to help beat Stanford 82-71 Saturday at Staples Center.

``That Cal game, that really bothered us,'' Ryan Francis said of Thursday's conference-opening loss. ``So we came back and played real hard. We wanted to show everyone we're not no fluke.''

All five USC starters scored in double figures for the first time this season, with Lodrick Stewart leading the way with 18 points.

Francis, a freshman point guard, was the instigator on defense. He harassed Chris Hernandez, generally regarded as one of the top point guards in the Pac-10. Francis forced four steals, three of which he brought back for layups. The easy opportunities created by his defense led to a career-high 15 points.

The key series in the game also involved Francis. After Stanford closed an 18-point USC lead down to four, reserve forward Jeremy Barr was fouled and went to the line. Barr, who had made just four of his previous 20 free-throw attempts, sunk both shots.

Hernandez took the inbound pass up court and Francis picked his pocket for the steal and a layup to extend USC's lead back to eight.

``I felt that we needed a (game-changing play), so I came up and tried to put pressure on him and he gave it to me,'' Francis said. ``If you play out in front of me, I'm just going to take it.''

The New Year's Eve crowd of 4,485 wasn't as big as the one at Staples Center on Thursday. However, the student section was by far the biggest and most vocal at a USC basketball game this year, aided by a large contingency of the school's football band attending in plain clothes.

It was the first victory by USC (10-3, 1-1) over Stanford in seven games. The Cardinal (4-6, 0-2) was picked to finish second in the conference in the preseason media poll.

``It feels good, my first time ever beating Stanford,'' said sophomore Nick Young, who had 16 points. ``We knew we had to get a victory. You don't want to come out in the Pac-10 0-2.''

USC started the game with a 6-1 run, boosted by some unexpected offense from forward Abdoulaye N'diaye, who had a career-best 11 points and seven rebounds before fouling out.

The Trojans seemed to break the game open with an 8-0 near the end of the first half followed by a 13-2 run to start the second half. Stewart scored seven of the 13 points in that run.

Stanford played most of the second half without leading scorer Matt Haryasz, who left the game with what was thought to be a sprained ankle. The Trojans led by 18 when he went out.

Gabe Pruitt made seven of eight free throws in the final 1:01 to keep Stanford at bay. He finished with 14 points.

``We were in a lot of close games in the preseason,'' Tim Floyd said. ``We happened to win a couple of those close ones after losing the Northridge game, and I think the guys did play with a little more poise down the stretch.''

Matthew Kredell, [phone]

matthew.kredell(at)dailynews.com

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USC's Lodrick Stewart gets one of the Trojans' 13 steals.

Edna T.Simpson/Daily News