Trojans Have Line on Success

TEMPE, Ariz. —  Given their travails shooting free throws, who would have thought that success at the line against Arizona State would be the Trojans’ salvation?

Before the Trojans’ trip to the desert, USC was last in the Pacific 10 Conference in free-throw percentage, making 62.7% of its shots.

Nursing a three-point lead, the Trojans came up big, making 10 of 11 in the final 54.8 seconds to hold on for an 81-73 victory.

“I think that says a lot,” said forward David Bluthenthal, who made all four of his free throws, which came in the final 25.6 seconds.

USC converted a season-best 84.6% (22 of 26) of its free throws Saturday to improve to 65.0% for the season.

Besides Bluthenthal, point guard Brandon Granville made all four of his free throws in the final minute and guard Desmon Farmer made both of his.

During the crucial final minute, when the Sun Devils were forced to foul, only forward Sam Clancy missed a free throw, the front end of a one-and-one with 33.2 seconds to play.

USC had one field goal in the last five minutes.

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UP NEXT

Thursday vs. California, 7:30 p.m., Fox Sports Net 2--Before sweeping the Golden Bears last year, the No. 18 Trojans (14-3, 6-1) had lost 12 of the previous 14 meetings between the schools. California leads the series, 115-110.

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Paul Gutierrez