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UNIONDALE, New York (Ticker) -- Southern California capped a banner day for the Pac-10 Conference in the NCAA Tournament on Thursday. The Trojans delivered an early knockout by building a 29-point halftime lead and coasted to a 69-54 victory over Oklahoma State in an East Region first-round contest at the Nassau Coliseum. Sam Clancy, Jeff Trepagnier and Brandon Granville also reached double figures in the first half as the sixth-seeded Trojans opened a 48-19 halftime lead. USC shot 53 percent (19-of-36) from the field in the opening 20 minutes while holding Oklahoma State to just 35 percent (9-of-26). "Our active defense got after them," Clancy said. "Luckily, they had to play catchup the entire second half. They eventually figured out how to beat our zone defense." Clancy finished with 22 points and 13 rebounds while Trepagnier added 17 points for the Trojans (22-9), who will face Boston College in the second round on Saturday. The Eagles struggled to get past Southern Utah, 68-65. All three Pac-10 teams in action on Thursday advanced as Stanford and UCLA posted victories earlier in the day. "That's how we play when we're nervous," USC guard Brian Scalabrine said. "We're gonna be really nervous on Saturday, too." "I really don't know why we came out like that today," said Oklahoma State guard Fredrik Jonzen, who scored 17 points. "It was embarrassing. We felt pretty good but then we stopped playing defense." Trying to endure in the wake of a tragic plane crash that killed two members of its team on January 28, Oklahoma State was the sentimental favorite in the NCAA Tournament. On Tuesday, the United States Basketball Writers Association presented its annual Most Courageous Award to the Cowboys. A presentation will be made to coach Eddie Sutton during Final Four weekend. But it become obvious early that Oklahoma State was not going to be long for the tournament. The Cowboys had a nightmarish performance at the foul line, making just 3-of-17 free throws. "We send our blessings to the Oklahoma State team," USC coach Henry Bibby said. "We realize they've been through some tough times. I have the utmost respect for (Cowboys coach) Eddie Sutton. They're one of the best-coached teams we have faced all season. Oklahoma State never gave up and perservered under the circumstances." USC scored the first basket of the second half to build its biggest lead, 50-21. With the contest well in hand, the Trojans let up in the second half, scoring just 20 points. "Our defense gave our offense energy early," Trepagnier said. "We were able to get easy baskets and dunks. I think the fans enjoyed our performance." "I've never had a team play worse for 20 minutes," Sutton added. "I told them at halftime. Considering what they've been through, I'm very proud of this ballclub and the courage that it has displayed. I don't think anybody knows what we've been through since that accident." Oklahoma State used a 13-0 run to close within 58-44, but it was too little, too late for the Cowboys, who suffered their first opening-round exit since 1983. Oklahoma State had won at least one game in its last eight trips to the "Big Dance" and reached the "Sweet 16" three times during the 1990s. "The first half was just a disaster," Oklahoma State center Alvin Williams said. "We came out strong in the second half and battled, but it was just too late at that point." The Trojans are making their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1997 and won their first tournament game since 1992. Oklahoma State only trailed, 10-9, with 16:45 remaining in the first half but the Trojans ripped off a 25-2 run to go up 35-11 with 4:38 left in the first half. Over the final 16:39, Oklahoma State was outscored by a 38-10 margin. "Everything went in for us in the first half," Bibby said. "It is the best half of basketball I've seen since I took the job at USC." . |
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