• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Southern California hopes to avoid another upset

Nov 21, 2008 - 2:46 PM No. 20 USC (2-1) vs. Chattanooga (0-3) 5:00 p.m EST

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Ticker) - It has proven to be a disappointing trip to the Puerto Rico Tip-off Classic for Southern California.

The 20th-ranked Trojans try to bounce back from an upset when they face Chattanooga on Friday.

One of two ranked teams in the tournament, Southern California appeared to have an easy road to the finals. However, the Trojans' aspirations were derailed on Thursday as they suffered a 63-61 setback to Seton Hall.

Taj Gibson scored 19 points for USC, which led by 15 points at halftime but shot less than 25 percent from the floor (7-of-29) after emerging from the locker rooms.

Seton Hall opened the second half with a 21-9 run and tied the score, 59-59, with 1:37 remaining in the game.

Pirates sophomore guard Jeremy Hazell drilled a 3-pointer that made it 62-59 with 1:30 to play and Daniel Hackett airballed a potential game-winning three at the buzzer as the Trojans endured their first loss.

Chattanooga is still seeking its first win after suffering a 83-71 loss to No. 12 Memphis on Thursday.

While the game was never in doubt, Stephen McDowell and Nicchaeus Doaks made sure the Mocs avoided a rout.

McDowell recorded 27 points and made seven 3-pointers, and Doaks added 15 with 16 rebounds before fouling out with less than two minutes to play.