RALEIGH, N.C. – USC did everything possible to lose to Providence in the final minute Thursday night and the Trojans finally paid when they forgot to cover Friars forward Rodney Bullock, who made a layup with 1.5 seconds left and a 70-69 victory at PNC Arena.
The Trojans could only blame themselves. They led 69-68 when guard Jordan McLaughlin inexplicably forced a drive to the basket and missed a layup with 39 seconds left. Elijah Stewart missed the front of a one-and-one with 27 seconds and Julian Jacobs missed another one-and-one with 12 seconds left to give Providence countless opportunities.