Trojans Talk Themselves Into 60-56 Win Over Ducks

USC Coach George Raveling didn’t conduct a team meeting Friday night as he usually does. He just turned the meeting over to his players and let them conduct business.

The players responded by beating Oregon, 60-56, Saturday night at the Sports Arena, taking some of the sting out of a 57-51 loss to Oregon State Thursday night--a game that Raveling and his players thought they should have won.

“Our players were as fired up for the Oregon game as for any game since I’ve been at USC,� Raveling said.

Raveling admitted that his team desperately needed to win because victories don’t come easy for the Trojans this season.

So they improved their modest Pacifc 10 record to 2-6 and their overall mark to 7-9. Oregon dropped to 2-5 in the conference and 8-8 overall.

Raveling said one of the key elements of the win was how his team restricted Oregon guard Anthony Taylor, one of the most dangerous backcourt players in the Pac-10.

Taylor, who came into the game averaging 21.7 points, was limited to 12.

“I think we did as good a job as anyone has all season,� Raveling said. “But we were so conscious of him and (guard) David Girley that center Sven Meyer hurt us inside.�

Meyer scored 16 points while making only 3 of 15 shots. The 6-11 West German was repeatedly inside and made 10 of 13 attempts from the free-throw line.

USC’s Derrick Dowell, an All-Pac-10 forward, had one of his typically consistent performances in all areas. He scored 20 points, grabbed 8 rebounds and contributed 3 steals and 3 assists.

USC center Rod Keller, who was in danger of fouling out in the second half, was a steadying influence with 11 points and 6 rebounds, along with blocking 2 shots.

Keller and Dowell conducted the team meeting in Raveling’s absence, and the results were rewarding.

“We’re a decent team, contrary to our record,� Keller said. “It’s just a question of the players believing in themselves and each other. We just picked up the intensity tonight and played more intelligently at the end.�

USC led, 25-23, at halftime due to a late spurt in which guard Rich Grande first hit a jump shot from the corner and later stepped back and buried a three-point basket one second before halftime.

Grande, who came into game shooting only 30%, didn’t take another shot. He made only two of four in the game, but he gave his team a lift and, perhaps, has recovered from his shooting slump.

The Trojans quickly surged to a six-point lead at the start of the second half and led by as many as nine.

But the Ducks made a run at the Trojans, and when guard Rick Osborn converted a three-point play with 4:44 left, the Trojans’ advantage was cut to 55-53.

Oregon didn’t score again until Taylor made a three-point shot with three seconds remaining.

Keller and guard Ivan Harris each made two foul shots in the last 2:24, and that was just enough offense to enable the Trojans to hold off the Ducks.

USC came into the game shooting only 41.6%. But the Trojans were 58.3% in the second half and 47.7% for the game.

“When you get a win like this and then you look back on the game you lost (Oregon State), you get greedy and feel disappointed that you didn’t come away with a sweep,� Raveling said. “Still we’re getting better as a team. Tonight we were as patient on offense as we’ve been all season and did a good job of getting the ball into the gap in their zone.

“We worked hard defensively and tried to keep Oregon out of their rhythm because they’re a very patient offensive team.�

It’s one thing getting the players to have the right mental approach after losing a game to Oregon State that they thought they should win. But what about the coach?

“I had a tough time getting myself off the floor after the Oregon State game,� he said. “I usually go into the office early the next day, but I didn’t get there until 11 a.m. Friday.�

Raveling said he stayed away because he didn’t want to spread his gloom to his players or coaching staff.

He credited his assistants, Ron Righter and Mike Dunlap, with doing a marvelous job of preparing the team for both Oregon State and Oregon.

USC freshman forward Bob Erbst and guard Brad Winslow both contributed to the win over the Ducks. Erbst scored 9 points and pulled down 7 rebounds. Winslow scored 9 points on 4-of-9 shooting.

It was USC’s first conference victory at home, and Oregon is still winless on the road in Pac-10 play.

This week, the Trojans have only one game scheduled, a nonconference contest with Tulsa next Saturday afternoon at the Sports Arena.

“The upcoming week off is coming at a good time,� Raveling said. “It will allow us time to work on fundamentals, and the players need a little rest.�