University Southern California Trojans
USC Falls 87-81 At Sao Jose dos Campos
August 15, 2011 | Men's Basketball
Aug. 15, 2011
Guards Jio Fontan scored 28 and Maurice Jones 20 in a losing effort as USC fell 87-81 vs. Sao Jose dos Campos today (Aug. 15) at the Asociacao Esportiva Sao Jose in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil. The game was originally scheduled to be a scrimmage, but to allow fans to attend, it was switched to a regular game and USC had to hold out freshmen Alexis Moore and Byron Wesley as well as junior Greg Allen until their summer school grades are posted, which is expected to be tomorrow. This game and the 60-51 win at Pindamonhangaba yesterday are part of a five-game tour for the Trojans in Brazil (Aug. 12-21).
"We didn't do our job in the first half," said USC head basketball coach Kevin O'Neill. "Jio (Fontan) and Mo (Jones) both played great today. Everybody played well in the second half and I'm proud of their effort. This was a really good team we played today."
The senior Fontan had 20 of his 28 points in the second half and led USC with two three-pointers. The sophomore Jones, who scored 12 of his 20 points in the first half, also added five rebounds and four steals.
The Trojans got out to a good start leading 17-12 midway through the first quarter against the strong Sao Jose dos Campos team, one of the top-tier teams in the Brazilian professional league. Sao Jose dos Campos finished the first quarter on a 18-9 run to take a 30-26 lead and then outscored USC 22-7 in the second quarter to take a 52-33 lead at halftime. The Brazilian team shot 52.2 percent in the first half, making 12 of 23 shots, including 4 of 10 from three-point range. USC made 32.4 percent of its first-half shots (12-for-37). The biggest discrepancy came from the line where Sao Jose dos Campos made 24 of 26 free throws, while USC made 7 of 11 attempts.
The lead stretched to 20 points at 55-35 early in the third quarter, but then the Trojans started their comeback. USC trailed 70-55 after three quarters and got as close as six points late in the game, including the final 87-81. USC outscored its opponent 48-35 in the second half, but could not make up the 19 point halftime deficit.
Sophomore Garrett Jones had another strong day, finishing with 11 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double. Sophomore Dewayne Dedmon had six points, nine rebounds and four blocks, while redshirt junior James Blasczyk had seven points and four rebounds. Junior Aaron Fuller, who had a double-double in the first game, had five points and six rebounds. Rounding out the Trojan scoring today with two points each were redshirt sophomore Evan Smith and senior Eric Strangis.
USC's defense tightened up in the second half, holding Sao Jose dos Campos to 36.7 percent, while the Trojans hit 48.6 percent after the break. For the game, USC made 40.5 percent (30-for-74) of its shots, while Sao Jose dos Campos made 43.4 percent (23-for-53). Sao Jose dos Campos was nearly flawless at the line making 32 of 36 shots for an 88.9 percentage.
USC will play Mogi das Cruzes tomorrow, which is a Sao Paulo State Championship Division I professional team.
