They grow up so fast ... to Trojans’ benefit

They’re not freshmen anymore.

Not in the mind of their coach, who has the confidence to start two of them and bring the other off the bench in critical late-game situations.

And not in the eyes of their teammates, who have become accustomed to seeing them come up big against veteran opponents.

Freshmen Taj Gibson, Dwight Lewis and Daniel Hackett continued to show maturity beyond their years Saturday during USC’s 71-68 victory over No. 9 Oregon at the Galen Center.

Gibson, a starting forward, scored a game-high 18 points to go with four blocks and three rebounds.

Lewis, a starting guard, had eight points, three assists and two steals while playing stifling defense on the Ducks’ Tajuan Porter.

And Hackett, a reserve point guard, had nine points and six of the Trojans’ 20 rebounds in 20 minutes off the bench.

“I don’t look at these guys as freshmen,” junior guard Gabe Pruitt said. “They’re great players, they’ve made good plays, they’ve been in big games, so I think they know what they’re doing.”

Just when it looked as if the Ducks might have wrested the momentum with about four minutes to play, Gibson blocked a shot by Oregon junior forward Malik Hairston that led to a layup by Hackett.

Hackett then made a three-pointer from the corner to give the Trojans a six-point cushion and help seal their fifth victory over a ranked team.

“Our kids have been in so many close games,” Coach Tim Floyd said, “that they really understand close games now and they have learned how to win close games.”

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The Trojans won for the first time in three games with the curtains closed at the north end of the Galen Center to prevent glare off the picture windows.

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ben.bolch@latimes.com