Dec. 29, 2001

Box Score

By NICHOLAS K. GERANIOS
Associated Press Writer

PULLMAN, Wash. - Freshman Errick Craven scored 29 points as Southern Cal beat Washington State 78-63 on Saturday for the Trojans' sixth straight victory.

Sam Clancy added 18 points and 9 rebounds as the Trojans (10-2, 2-0 Pacific 10) used a pressure defense to keep Washington State off balance for much of the first half.

Washington State (4-6, 0-2) lost its third straight game and has also lost its past six outings against the Trojans.

Clancy scored 10 points in the opening eight minutes as the Trojans built a 21-9 lead. Their full-court press held WSU to just three field goals in that span.

Washington State went on an 8-3 run, with J Locklier scoring five of his 17 points, to close to within 28-23 with 6:31 left in the first half.

Clancy had 16 first half points as the Trojans led 41-35 at halftime. The Trojans hit 56 percent of their field goals in the half, while the Cougars made just 43 percent.

David Bluthenthal and Craven each hit a pair of 3-pointers as the Trojans built a 62-49 lead early in the second half. The Cougars never threatened again.

Craven connected on 13 of 19 field goals, and three of his four 3-point attempts.

Marcus Moore added 12 points and Jerry McNair had 11 points and 8 rebounds for the Cougars, who finished shooting 40 percent from the floor and made just 4 of 22 from 3-point range.

The Trojans have now held 11 of their 12 opponents below 70 points this season. Pepperdine scored 78 in beating them.

The Cougars played without starter Mike Bush, who is also a wide receiver on the football team and is in El Paso preparing for Monday's Sun Bowl.