Ducks Slip Past USC 65-62
Rick Morgan

Garrett Sim's 20 points led the Oregon Ducks past a stubborn and stingy USC squad 65-62 Thursday night at Matthew Knight Arena.

Backcourt mate Devoe Joseph added 16 points and Olu Asholu 11 more in what was probably more difficult a game for the Ducks than it should have been.

"We found a way to win; that's always important," said Ducks coach Dana Altman. "It's a big plus, but we know we have to play better to get wins down the road."

The Trojans had dropped their previous five games and there were moments in the first 20 minutes when Oregon appeared ready to take the game in hand.

A 20 to 7 advantage on the glass allowed the Duck offense to regularly get into transition but ten first half turnovers left that for naught. Oregon was left to grind out a win that came down to the Ducks hitting six of six at the line in the game's last two minutes. The Ducks improved to 5-2 in Pac-12 play; 14-5 overall. USC  fell to 0-6 and 5-14.

"I was encouraged the first half, we were beating [USC] on the boards," said Altman. But in the second half "(offensively) .we had bad turnovers and made bad decisions."

The Trojans were paced by Maurice Jones' 22 points and Dwane Dedmon's seven rebounds. Deadmon added 12 points and the pair gave USC a 1-2 punch Oregon had difficulty with all night.

After frittering away that 13 rebound first half advantage and left with only a 30-28 lead at the break, the Ducks saw the Trojans turn those tables emphatically, out working the Ducks 20-14 on the glass after recess.

Dedmon's jumper tied the game to open the second half but Sim answered with a three from the corner, sparking a Ducks to a quick seven point run. The teams traded baskets for then next 10 minutes with the Trojans eventually cutting that lead to five, then three and finally one point with 0:40 remaining.

Forced to send Sim and Joseph to the line, the Trojans watched as the two senior guards pushed the lead back to three and Jones' last second attempt to tie fell short.

"It was hard to get into a rhythm when USC starts to set the pace," said Sim. "They want to slow it all down."

Using most of the shot clock each possession Jones' quick first step gave him either the jumper or a drive with Deadmon crashing the play from behind.

Credit Oregon's defense in holding the Trojans to 37.1% shooting in the second half or the result could have been easily reversed.

The Ducks will be looking to close out their second consecutive weekend sweep when they host the UCLA Bruins on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 1:00.