USC center Nikola Vucevic is defended by UC Riverside's Konner Vateto. Vucevic scored 18 points as the Trojans won, 77-67. (Photo by Mario Villegas)
Story Published:
Nov 18, 2009 at 1:24 PM PDT
Story Updated:
Nov 18, 2009 at 1:24 PM PDT
Some old players with new roles stepped up for the USC men’s basketball team in Monday’s season opener at Galen Center.
Four players, only one of them a starter a year ago, scored between 22 and 12 points as the Trojans defeated UC Riverside (0-2) to make Kevin O’Neill’s debut as coach a success.
Dwight Lewis, that returning starter, scored a game-high 22 points despite sitting out significant minutes of the second half while dealing with leg cramps.
Nikola Vucevic (18 points, eight rebounds), Marcus Simmons (18 points) and Donte Smith (12 points) also scored in double figures.
“For the most part we played solid enough basketball to win by 10 points, but we’ve got to play better as time goes on,” O’Neill said.
The Trojans went into the opener a bit short-handed.
Forward Alex Stepheson, a transfer from North Carolina, is sidelined by a knee problem.
Marcus Johnson is required by the NCAA to sit out the first two games for playing in an exhibition at Connecticut.
Transfer guard Mike Gerrity has to sit out the first semester.
That meant heavy minutes for Smith (40), Vucevic (38), Lewis (35) and even reserve Evan Smith (33).
“I doubt any of these guys have played these kinds of minutes in their life,” O’Neill said. “I was really proud of the team’s effort.”
Forward Konner Veteto led Riverside with 14 points and eight rebounds and guard Larry Gurganious had 13 points and five assists.
USC returns to action Saturday at Galen Center against Loyola Marymount. Tipoff is at 5 p.m.
LMU, which went 1-2 at the University of Montana-hosted Grizzly Classic over the weekend, has its home opener at 8:05 p.m. Wednesday against UC Irvine.
The Lion roster includes point guard Jarred DuBois (Westchester High School), forward LaRon Armstead (Fremont) and center Edgar Garibay (Compton). DuBois was named to the West Coast Conference all-freshman team a year ago.
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