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Goods, Stanford survive defensive struggle with USC

Jan 6, 2008 - 5:38 AM PALO ALTO, California (Ticker) -- Anthony Goods and Stanford will take an ugly win over a winless start in the Pac-10 Conference.

Goods scored 11 points despite some poor shooting as the No. 20 Cardinal captured a defensive battle with Southern California, 52-46, on Saturday.

Fred Washington added nine points for Stanford, which avoided an 0-2 start in conference play for the first time since 2005-06.

Freshman sensation O.J. Mayo was held in check by the Cardinal, managing just 14 points on 5-of-19 shooting.

In a contest that more resembled a wrestling match due to all the clutching and grabbing, Stanford (12-2, 1-1 Pac-10) took a 39-30 lead with 13:58 remaining after opening the second half with a 11-4 run.

That lead was extended to 48-38 on two free throws by Kenny Brown with 2:23 remaining as USC went through a major shooting slump.

After a jumper by Mayo to cut their deficit to 39-32 with 13:21 remaining, the Trojans managed just one field goal over the next 11:30.

During that span, USC went 1-of-11 from the field and committed seven of its 23 turnovers. Mayo missed four straight shots during that span.

The Trojans started to show some life as Mayo hit his only 3-pointer with 1:51 left and Daniel Hackett completed a three-point play 46 seconds later, making it 48-44.

Goods then split two free throws before Mayo was fouled on an attempt from the arc. However, the 6-5 guard missed the middle of the three attempts to prevent the Trojans from climbing within two, 49-46.

Mitch Johnson made 1-of-2 free throws with 15 seconds left before Mayo missed a 3-pointer and Hackett could not get two follow attempts to go down. Mayo also missed a tip before the ball was tied up on the floor with five seconds to go.

With the ball going to Stanford, Goods was fouled with two-tenths of a second left. The junior guard made both attempts to seal the Cardinal's sixth straight win over the Trojans at Maples Pavilion.

With Mayo finishing 1-of-6 on 3-pointers, the phenom had very little chance scoring inside, as the 7-foot duo of Brook and Robin Lopez controlled the lane.

The twin brothers combined for 10 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks. They did, however, shoot 4-of-16 from the field together.

Lawrence Hill scored seven points and grabbed 13 rebounds, including seven offensive for Stanford, which finished with a 48-31 advantage on the glass.

Despite 23 offensive boards, the Cardinal were unable to take advantage of many second-chance opportunities, finishing 35 percent (17-of-49) from the floor.

Hackett scored 12 points and Taj Gibson had 11 and nine rebounds for USC (9-5, 0-2), which shot 35 percent (17-of-49), including 2-of-12 on 3-pointers.

The offense was a little better in the first half, with Stanford pulling ahead 22-14 when Johnson capped a 7-0 run on a steal and a layup with 7:40 remaining.

USC answered back with a 8-0 run, knotting the score at 22-22 on a jumper by Mayo with 4:52 to go.

The game remained tied in the closing seconds prior to halftime before Robin Lopez blocked a layup attempt by Mayo, leading to a layup by Brown that beat the horn and gave the Cardinal a 28-26 lead at intermission.