Drama, and USC, unfold in overtime

EUGENE, Ore. -- Their nine-point lead wiped out over the final 1 minute 39 seconds of regulation, their starters suffering from cramps and their opponent emboldened by a raucous crowd, the USC Trojans had seemingly everything working against them Saturday night at McArthur Court.

Then Trojans freshman guard O.J. Mayo, hobbled so badly that he had to sit out the last 27 seconds of regulation, made a three-point basket to start overtime. Reserve forward Keith Wilkinson followed with another. And sophomore guard Daniel Hackett banked in a third three-pointer from the top of the key.

Just like that, USC’s nine-point lead was restored and the Trojans were on the way to an improbable 95-86 overtime victory in which they made all five three-point attempts in the extra period.

“We just didn’t want to lose. We refused to give up,” said Hackett, who scored a career-high 26 points, including two banked-in three-pointers. “We’re pretty mad about giving up that lead in regulation.”

By winning a fourth consecutive Pacific 10 Conference game for the first time since the 2001-02 season, the Trojans improved to 13-6 overall and 4-3 in conference play, obliterating the worries of an 0-3 Pac-10 start.

USC also moved into a three-way tie for fourth place in the conference with Arizona State and Arizona. The Wildcats visit the Galen Center on Thursday.

Mayo scored 25 points and sophomore guard Dwight Lewis had a career-high 24 for the Trojans, who never trailed but appeared to be in a world of trouble when Oregon guard Bryce Taylor took an inbounds pass from Tajuan Porter and made a layup at the buzzer in regulation to tie the score, 74-74.

The Ducks (12-8, 3-5) had trailed, 66-57, after Mayo made one of two free throws with 1:39 left in regulation. With the crowd audibly dissatisfied at Oregon’s inability to get off a shot in a timely manner, Porter then drew the fifth foul on USC forward Davon Jefferson on a desperation three-point attempt.

Porter made all three free throws, Malik Hairston (21 points) made two three-pointers and Porter had a third as the Ducks pulled to within 73-72 with 15 seconds left. Hackett, who had already missed one of two free throws with 25 seconds to go, made only one of two again with 14 seconds left to make it 74-72.

Porter then missed a layup and Oregon was awarded possession on a held ball with two seconds to go after a scrum for a loose ball, setting up Taylor’s tying layup.

But the Trojans walked back to their bench with a sense of determination rather than dejection.

“Our guys were great in the timeout,” USC Coach Tim Floyd said. “They just huddled up and said, ‘We’re not losing it. There’s still time to score on the clock and we’re playing to win.’ ”

The overtime got off to a bizarre start when a layup by Taylor was waved off following what appeared to be an inadvertent horn.

“I still haven’t gotten an explanation,” Oregon Coach Ernie Kent said. “I got three different explanations on what happened.”

Then the Trojans started their barrage of three-pointers, including two by Hackett in the overtime and one each by reserves Wilkinson and Angelo Johnson.

USC players hobbled around the basement of McArthur Court afterward weary but satisfied, with ice bags taped to knees, calves and thighs. Mayo, who started cramping four minutes into the second half, made a lengthy detour into a trainer’s room to receive a bag of intravenous fluid.

Soon he was reunited with teammates after the Trojans’ third consecutive road victory.

“It doesn’t matter whose night it is or what the scenario is,” Mayo said. “At the end of the day, we just want to win. We showed that a lot tonight.”