USC Gasps and Wheezes Its Way to First Win in 10 Months, 76-72

USC’s new up-tempo offense may have sputtered down the stretch at the Sports Arena Friday night, but the Trojans had just enough left to defeat Lamar, 76-72, and win their first game in more than 10 months.

After racing to a 17-point lead nine minutes into the second half before an announced crowd of 1,951, USC needed two free throws by Stais Boseman with 5.7 seconds remaining to hold off a furious Lamar rally and end a 14-game losing streak dating to last season.

“It wasn’t the prettiest win, but it feels a lot better than last season,” said senior Brandon Martin, who finished with 12 points and four rebounds. “We were a little nervous because it was our first game and we wanted to get our first win real bad. But I’m sure that we’ll play better our next game.”

The Trojans will have to if they want to finish above .500 this season because their 37% shooting from the field and 33.3% foul shooting in the second half nearly cost them against Lamar.

Behind Avondre Jones’ 16 points and nine rebounds, USC controlled most of the game and led, 68-54, with 5:12 remaining. That’s when the Trojans started to fall apart after Lamar went to a full-court pressing defense.

In a span of less than three minutes, the Cardinals capitalized on several missed open shots and missed free throws by USC to outscore the Trojans, 13-2. With 2:42 remaining, they trailed by only three at 70-67.

“We were on pace to score in the 90s, but that’s the danger of playing fast,” said USC Coach Charlie Parker, who gained his first victory after leading the Trojans to a 7-21 record last season as interim coach. “It’s hard to turn it off when we stress running and taking the first open shot. But the win would have been easier if we finished off the plays.”

Jaha Wilson, who had an off night with only five points and seven rebounds, scored on a turnaround jump shot, and David Crouse followed with a rebound layup to stretch USC’s lead to 74-67 with 2:02 remaining.

USC then missed three consecutive free throws, including two by Boseman, and Lamar made two free throws and a three-point basket by Eric Lawson to cut the Trojans’ lead to 74-72 with 7.1 seconds left. It took Boseman’s free throws to clinch the game.

“We might not have shot well, but that’s what defense is all about,” said Boseman, who finished with a game-high 17 points, but shot only four of 14 from the field and seven of 12 from the free-throw line. “This was our first game and we played like it.”

In his first game back after transferring following his freshman year, Jones was a bright spot for the Trojans despite playing only 19 minutes because of foul trouble.

“Having Avondre was very inspirational,” Parker said. “He really played well. It was a good first outing for him. He’s an impact player, and if he comes to play every game like he did tonight, he’ll be a good player.”

Said Jones: “We’re more focused now in that we want to win. We just want to go out and prove everybody wrong about our program.”

USC will get its first real test Monday when it plays at Pennsylvania.