Both Kansas’ Josh Selby and USC’s Jio Fontan made their long awaited debuts Saturday, but it was Selby who got the final word.
With 26 seconds remaining, Selby nailed a go-ahead three-pointer to give the Jayhawks a one-point lead before eventually winning by a score of 70-68.
Selby, who had been suspended by the NCAA for the first nine games of the season for accepting “extra benefits,” finished with a game-high 21 points, stealing much of the spotlight from Fontan, who had a quiet debut with 15 points.
The fact that the game was even close, however, remains testament to strong play on behalf of USC. Despite trailing by 14 points during the second half, the Trojans crawled back, eventually taking a 53-52 late second half lead after an 11-0 run.
With 1:36 remaining, Fontan hit two free throws to put USC on top 68-66, but Selby’s 3-pointer and a later free throw from Tyrel Reed tilted the game in Kansas’ favor, helping them extended its home-court winning streak to 65 games.
USC’s next game is Tuesday in Knoxville against Tennessee, which has lost to both Oakland (Mich.) and Charlotte in the past week.