Trojans burst by Beavers with an 18-0 run
USC wins fourth in a row and completes its first sweep in Oregon since 2008.
CORVALLIS, Ore. — In the midst of a long scoring drought, coach Andy Enfield had a simple message for the USC Trojans.
“We talked about toughness,” Enfield said.
Obviously the Trojans took it to heart, because it sparked an 18-0 rally.
Elijah Stewart had 18 points and USC won its fourth straight with a 74-67 victory over Oregon State on Saturday night.
Jordan Usher added 14 points for USC (15-6, 6-2 Pac-12), which has won four straight in the series against the Beavers (11-8, 3-4).
With their victory over Oregon on Thursday, the Trojans won both games in the state for the first time since the 2008 season. They stayed half a game behind Arizona in the Pac-12.
Tres Tinkle had 21 points and seven rebounds for the Beavers.
The Trojans fell behind in the second half by as many as eight points, but rallied with just over six minutes left when consecutive threepointers from Usher gave the Trojans a 58-54 lead. Jordan McLaughlin added a layup and a three-point play before the 18-0 run was capped by free throws from Stewart to put USC up 65-54.
“We had them where we wanted them, and then all of our momentum was taken away. The game was totally changed,” Oregon State coach Wayne Tinkle said.
The Beavers closed within 69-63 on Stephen Thompson Jr.’s jumper with 1:48 left, but got no closer. Thompson finished with 16 points.
Asked about those two key three-pointers from Usher, Enfield pointed out that the freshman was four for four from the perimeter.
“He’d tell you that, too,” Enfield smiled.
Wayne Tinkle said to give Usher credit: “He hit some good shots. We didn’t defend it right, we weren’t getting to the corner.”
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vs. Stanford, Wednesday, at Galen Center, 6 p.m. TV: