LOS ANGELES—Nebraska coach Doc Sadler figured his team had a slim chance to win a high-scoring contest against USC.
So the Cornhuskers used solid transition defense to alter the pace of the game from a sprint to a crawl and hung on for a 51-48 victory Sunday.
“They got back in transition real well and limited our fast-break opportunities,” USC guard Dwight Lewis said.
Eshaunte Jones scored the winning basket on a 3-pointer with 11.7 seconds left.
After USC called time with 8.4 seconds to go, Marcus Johnson air-balled a 3-point attempt from the left wing, preserving the win for the Cornhuskers (4-1).
“I think this says a lot about our team and who we are,” said Nebraska guard Ryan Anderson, who led all scorers with 14 points. “I’m just grateful and happy to get a tough road win.”
Brandon Ubel added 10 points for Nebraska, which committed only seven turnovers in its third straight win.
“When you go on the road, you better turn it over 10 or less times to have a chance,” Sadler said. “We took care of the ball, and that was a bright spot.”
Alex Stepheson led USC with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Donte Smith, Johnson and Lewis each scored 10 for the Trojans (2-2).
It was a seesaw battle throughout, with 20 lead changes and eight ties. Neither team led by more than four points.
The teams were tied 43-43 for two minutes until Stepheson converted a 3-point play that put the Trojans ahead 46-43.
But Nebraska ran off five straight points, capped by Anderson’s 3-point play after he stole the ball from Lewis and was fouled while making a layup.
“That was huge for us,” said Jones, who made 3 of 4 shots for seven points. “That set the tempo for us to win this game.”
USC limited Nebraska to three second-chance points by outrebounding the Cornhuskers 38-27.
Both teams struggled at the line. USC converted 13 of 24 free throws and Nebraska 3 of 11.
USC had opportunities to pull ahead but committed a season-high 17 turnovers.
“Their defensive pressure intensified in the second half,” Lewis said. “It was a little lack of concentration on our part plus a lot of unforced turnovers.”
After making 55.6 percent of its 3-pointers in the first half against Coppin State in its previous game, USC continued shooting the ball well from behind the arc. The Trojans made five of their first six 3-pointers to take a 20-16 lead. But Nebraska held a 27-26 halftime advantage thanks to 10 USC turnovers.
The game was part of the Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series and the first of two consecutive games against Big 12 opponents for USC. The Trojans will play Thursday at No. 3 Texas.
