The Trojans can't seem to catch a break these days, losing in three overtimes to Stanford, and now the USC Trojans lose a close basketball game to the Nebraska Cornhuskers 64-61 in two overtimes. Neither team shot well in the first half, USC at 32.1% and Nebraska at 33%. Both teams improved as the game went on, with Nebraska shooting almost 50% from behind the three point arc.
Maurice Jones came alive after the half, scoring a team high 18 points and adding four rebounds and four assists. However, USC couldn't find an answer for Bo Spenser, who continued his hot first half into the rest of the game scoring 22 points, with 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and one rebound. Alexis Moore, who had a strong first half and was left in to start the second half, only made one more field goal.
USC had a two point lead with 1:24 left to go in regulation, but the Huskers were able to tie it up. On the last play of regulation with the game tied, Maurice Jones was able to pull the Nebraska defenders to the baseline leaving Dewayne Dedmon alone at the free throw line. Dedmon missed the shot, a part of a forgettable 1-5 effort from the forward.
USC again had the lead late in the first overtime, 52-49 with 54 seconds to go. Nebraska hit a three with 33 seconds left, but Maurice Jones put USC back in front with a leaner and just six seconds left in the game. Alexis Moore was called for the foul, and Nebraska converted the 1 and 1 to tie the game and send it to a second overtime.
USC had opportunities in the second overtime, but Nebraska lead the whole way. A Dedmon dunk, only his second basket of the game, brought the Trojans within one with seven seconds; but Nebraska was able to convert their free throws after the foul. Maurice Jones missed a three at the buzzer for the tie, and the game was over.
It was a tough loss for the Trojans, who play at San Diego State on Thursday before playing in the Las Vegas Invitational. USC is still trying to find their identity after losing so many starters.