Ducks Stumble in 2nd Half

Eugene - In the first Pac-10 basketball game of the season, USC (10-3, 1-0) got a critical road victory at McArthur Court beating the Oregon Ducks 83-62 (6-7, 0-1) on Friday afternoon. USC was led by leading scorer Dwight Lewis who led both teams with 26 points and highly touted freshmen forward DeMar DeRozan.

Lewis, who is averaging 16.1 points per game on the season, scored a team high 11 in the first half while DeRozan contributed ten first half rebounds as the Trojans and Ducks went to the break tied at 34. Lewis and DeRozan scored 18 of USC’s first 24 points of the second half as the Trojans opened up a 58-49 lead.

USC scored on “something like 21 of their first 28 possessions to start the second half” said Oregon coach Ernie Kent. “Our energy and intensity wasn’t where it needed to be.”

After a Lewis three pointer, his fourth of the game, USC led 73-54 with just under six minutes left ,and the game was all but over. USC would stretch the lead out to 79-56 after a layup by DeRozan and Trojan coach Tim Floyd emptied the bench.

Lewis was “very tough” added Kent. “He got going, hit tough shots, and we never corralled him in the 2nd half.”

Oregon hung tough in the first half behind the play of their backcourt. TaJuan Porter scored ten points in the half on 4-9 shooting while freshmen Garrett Sim chipped in eight points. The Ducks were able to contain Trojan big man Taj Gibson in large part due to foul problems. Gibson, who averages a double-double, played sparingly as he picked up three first half fouls.

Oregon shot only 37% from the field for the game, hitting 23 of 62 attempts. USC shot 48% hitting 29 of 60 from the field and were a sizzling 8 of 15 from behind the three point arc. USC controlled the boards all game and outrebounded Oregon 44-33 with DeRozan leading the way with 12 rebounds.

Lewis was joined in double figure scoring by guard Daniel Hackett with 15, DeRozan with 14 and Gibson with 13. Oregon had four players in double figures led by Porter with 12. Sim and Kamyron Brown each had 11 and center Michael Dunigan had ten points to go along with a team high seven rebounds.

Oregon hosts UCLA next on Sunday afternoon at 12:30 in the Pit while USC heads north to take on Oregon State Sunday at 2:30.