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The Honolulu Advertiser

Updated at 8:23 p.m., Saturday, December 30, 2006

Former 'Iolani star Low scores 13 as WSU beats USC

By Beth Harris
Associated Press

LOS ANGELES - Kyle Weaver's offense won the game for Washington State, and his defense helped the Cougars stave off the last-second hopes of Southern California.

Weaver's layup with four seconds remaining lifted Washington State to a 58-55 victory today that snapped the Trojans' nine-game home winning streak.

Former 'Iolani School star Derrick Low scored 13 points to lead the Cougars (12-2, 1-1 Pac-10), who salvaged their conference-opening road trip after nearly knocking off No. 1 UCLA 55-52 Thursday night. Low led WSU in that game with 14 points.

Robbie Cowgill added 12 points and Weaver had 12 points, five rebounds and five assists.

Nick Young led the Trojans (11-4, 1-1) with 14 points. Taj Gibson and Dwight Lewis added 11 each. USC was coming off consecutive victories over No. 14 Washington on Thursday and then-No. 8 Wichita State last week.

The Trojans' last home loss was to South Carolina in its season opener.

"That's a very poised, disciplined team," USC coach Tim Floyd said. "They had some big offensive rebounds at the end and knocked down some key baskets. We missed some key free throws down the stretch. They had a couple putbacks at the end that broke our backs."

With USC trailing 56-55, Weaver caught him in a charging foul as Young sped upcourt that cost the Trojans the ball with two seconds left.

Gibson fouled Robbie Cowgill, who made both to finish off the game for the Cougars, picked to finish last in the Pac-10.

"I saw in his eyes that he wanted to score, so I tried to pick up him fast," Weaver said.

The Cougars' 12 victories are one more than they managed in coach Dick Bennett's last season before he retired and son Tony took over.

"One game doesn't make a year, but when you can come here and split, it's good," the younger Bennett said. "Kyle was at his best. He has been solid for us in the full court and he just made a tough shot at the end of the game."

Washington State trailed by 11 points early in the second half before Low's 3-pointer launched a game-ending 31-17 run. As hard as the Cougars worked to get back into the game, USC had its chances after Gibson tied it at 50 on a free throw.

Gabe Pruitt, making his second start since returning from academic ineligibility, hit a 3-pointer to give USC a 55-54 lead with nine seconds left.

"I saw the clock running down and we had to get one up," he said.

But Weaver answered with his go-ahead jumper, and then Young committed the costly foul.

"We thought we had the game," said Young, who had five of USC's 14 turnovers. "I blame myself."

Leading by two early in the second half, the Trojans ran off nine straight points for their largest lead, 38-27. Young scored four in a row, Pruitt hit two free throws and Lodrick Stewart made a 3-pointer.

The Cougars were held to 32 percent field-goal shooting in the first half, when Low made one of six shots. But they improved to 48 percent in the second half, when they hit four 3-pointers.

The Trojans shot 56 percent and outscored the Cougars 6-2 over the final 2 1/2 minutes to take a 25-21 lead at the break.

USC football coach Pete Carroll and members of his team were cheered during a timeout. The eighth-ranked Trojans play No. 3 Michigan in the Rose Bowl on Monday.