Former Rancho Christian standout chips in six for Trojans
— LOS ANGELES – The USC Trojans were unable to fend off a fierce second-half rally by the Oregon Ducks, falling 68-60 Wednesday night at the Galen Center. For much of the game, USC controlled the tempo and maintained a double-digit lead early, only to have Oregon’s late momentum erase their efforts.
Shooting guard Kevin Patton Jr., a former standout from Rancho Christian in Temecula, made his presence felt with 6 points, 8 assists, and 1 rebound in the game. Despite his contributions, the Trojans fell short in their bid to hand the Ducks their first loss of the season.
USC opened the game strong, scoring the first points and building a sizeable lead thanks to their defense and inside scoring. At one point in the first half, the Trojans led by 11 points, pushing Oregon onto the back foot. However, USC struggled to maintain an offensive rhythm, going cold in the final minutes of the first half and failing to convert their last seven shots.
The Ducks, off to an uncharacteristically sluggish start, capitalized on USC’s scoring drought with their own strong defensive presence. By halftime, the Trojans led 30-24, but the momentum had subtly shifted.
The second half was a different story. Revitalized Oregon guards Jackson Shelstad and Keeshawn Barthelemy sparked their team’s comeback, with Shelstad hitting a pivotal three-pointer to give Oregon its first lead late in the game. Meanwhile, shooting guard TJ Bamba, who struggled early, found his rhythm just in time to deliver key points for the Ducks.
Both teams were plagued by poor shooting, with neither surpassing 30% from the field. Oregon managed to get hot from beyond the arc in the second half, making five three-pointers compared to USC’s struggles to hit from deep. With just one active center in their lineup, USC still dominated inside, outscoring Oregon in the paint 28-18 and winning the rebounding battle by one.
Despite their gritty effort, USC couldn’t overcome Oregon’s late surge. The loss drops the Trojans to 6-3 on the season while the Ducks, now 9-0, remain undefeated.
For Kevin Patton Jr., the night may not have ended with a victory, but his growing impact and leadership for USC continue to stand out as the season progresses.
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