USC struggling, but leading at halftime

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You could see this coming. USC’s basketball team was fresh off routing Oregon on Friday. Oregon State has lost 21 consecutive Pacific 10 Conference games.

So, of course, the Trojans spent much of the first half flat-lining before scratching out a 25-20 lead at halftime Sunday. USC missed three shots and turned the ball over four times on its first seven possessions, falling behind, 8-0, in the first four minutes. Trailing, 12-2, USC methodically outscored the Beavers, 23-8, in the last 13 minutes of the half.

Reserve Marcus Johnson was a spark, with five points, two blocked shots and one assist in the last two minutes of the half.

-- Chris Foster