Trojans can’t hold off Beavers
Beavers score with 25 seconds left, and USC falls for the seventh time in eight games.
Pe’Shon Howard misses second of two free throws with 0.9 seconds left.
CORVALLIS, Ore. — Oregon State gave Roberto Nelson two chances to beat USC — one at the end of regulation and another in overtime.
Nelson missed his opportunity to break a 72-72 tie in regulation, but he made no mistake on his off-balance layup in traffic with 25 seconds to play in overtime as the Beavers downed the Trojans, 76-75, Thursday night.
Pe’Shon Howard had a chance to pull USC even after making the first of two free throws with 0.9 seconds left, but missed the second and Devon Collier grabbed the rebound for Oregon State.
“I can’t believe we won that game,” said Beavers Coach Craig Robinson. “We have been on the other end of so many of those.”
Angus Brandt f inished with 14 points and Eric Moreland grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked four shots for the Beavers (12-8, 3-4 Pac-12), who trailed, 39-36, at halftime.
Byron Wesley led USC (10-11, 1-7) with 23 points as the Trojans lost for the seventh time in eight games.
Tied at 74-74, the Beavers ran an isolation play for Nelson, who started near the top of the lane on the left side and then weaved his way through three defenders before laying the ball in off the glass.
“That one had a little bit of luck to do with it,” said Nelson, who scored 14 of his 24 points after halftime. “It was a good thing my legs were still holding up, so I think I have to give that one to our strength coach, Jeff Macy.”
At the other end, Wesley missed a layup attempt to tie for USC with eight sec- onds left and Daniel Gomis rebounded for Oregon State. Gomis passed ahead to Nelson, but Howard stole the ball for the Trojans and was fouled by Gomis driving to the basket.
Howard, a 73.1% freethrow shooter, had made seven of seven from the foul line before his final attempt was strong off the back of the rim.
“It’s a disappointing loss,” said Trojans Coach Andy Enfield, whose team made 19 of 21 free throws. “We played well. We played hard. To come down to the last play of the game and miss a free throw is tough.”
Robinson’s call for improved defense after Saturday’s 87-81 loss at Washington didn’t carry over to the start of Thursday’s game as USC jumped out to 21-13 lead after the opening 9:40.
The Trojans maintained at least a two-point lead through the remainder of the first half.