Rabb’s big plays knock off Trojans
LOS ANGELES — With five seconds left and a one-point lead, Cal knew where this game would be decided: at the rim between USC’s Jordan McLaughlin and the Bears’ Ivan Rabb.
Already having scored 17 points, including the tying and go-ahead free throws, Rabb delivered the block on McLaughlin’s driving shot at the buzzer, giving Cal a 74-73 victory over No. 25 USC on Sunday night.
“I just wanted to make a play on the ball,” said Rabb. “I’m just glad nobody fouled. They just funneled him to the basket where I could make something happen.”
During the timeout after Rabb gave the Bears the lead, Cal head coach Cuonzo Martin put the Bears into a 2-2-1 zone press with Rabb the last man to beat, expecting McLaughlin to get the ball.
“No doubt about it. We knew he was coming around some way,” said Martin. “We just had to be sound. If he got to the rim with Ivan at the rim, we didn’t think he’d have enough time to pitch to someone for a shot.”
And when McLaughlin covered the length of the court, there was Rabb.
“I had a shooter on my left side and I really didn’t want to leave him until (McLaughlin) committed to the basket,” Rabb said.
Said McLaughlin: “I came out of the timeout with a full head of steam. I tried to get a layup and hoped to get a basket or a foul. I saw a wide-open lane. They closed it at the end.”
Charlie Moore added 16 points and Jabari Bird and Don Coleman each had 12 for Cal (11-5, 2-2 Pac-12), which beat a ranked opponent on the road for the first time in three years by shooting 13-for-23 in the second half.
McLaughlin and Chimezi Metu each scored 20 points to lead USC (15-2, 2-2), which lost at home for the first time this season.
Down 72-71, McLaughlin scored to give USC a 73-72 lead with 17 seconds left.
After a Cal timeout, Bird fed Rabb at the right low block, where he spun into the lane only to be fouled on his shot attempt by Metu.
Cal’s last win over a ranked opponent was an 83-63 home victory over No. 11 Oregon on Feb. 11.