University Southern California Trojans
Men's Basketball Squad Falls in NIT Opener
June 21, 1999 | Men's Basketball
March 10, 1999
LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) - Ugo Udezue scored 21 of his 28 points in the second half to help Wyoming erase a 13-point deficit and defeat Southern California 81-77 in the first round of the NIT.
Wyoming (18-9) hit 13-of-14 free throws in the final three minutes to stave off Southern Cal (15-13). Brett McFall was 5-of-6 from the line and set up Udezue for consecutive slams in the last two minutes.
Bradley Mann scored 13 and McFall added 11 for the Cowboys.
Jeff Trepagnier led the Trojans with 24, while Brian Scalabrine scored 15 and Brandon Granville had 13.
Udezue scored 12 points during a 21-8 Wyoming run and banked in a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 6:24 remaining to give the Cowboys their first lead, 57-55. The Trojans went scoreless for 4 1/2 minutes before Brandon Granville's 3-pointer at the 5:59 mark put Southern Cal back on top 58-57.
The lead seesawed until Udezue canned two free throws with 2:59 remaining to put the Cowboys up 63-61 and the Trojans didn't lead again.
Southern Cal led 47-36 on Granville's 3-pointer at the 16:57 mark before Wyoming rallied.
Southern Cal outrebounded Wyoming 28-13 in the first half and outshot the Cowboys 51 percent to 34 percent in building a 41-31 lead at the break.
Wyoming missed its first nine shots before Chris McMillian grabbed an offensive rebound and hit a layup with 15:18 remaining in the first half.
By ROBERT W. BLACK
Associated Press Writer
