Payton II leads Oregon State over No. 21 USC 85-70

CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) Gary Payton II tried to be aggressive from the start against No. 21 Southern California. ''Just trying to spark us,'' the senior guard

CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) Gary Payton II tried to be aggressive from the start against No. 21 Southern California.

''Just trying to spark us,'' the senior guard said.

Payton II had 22 points, 15 rebounds, eight assists and four steals, leading Oregon State over the Trojans 85-70 Sunday.

''When he brings that fire, the other guys follow,'' Oregon State coach Wayne Tinkle said.

Tres Tinkle, the coach's son, added 18 points. Drew Eubanks had 12 points and three blocks as the Beavers (12-6, 3-4 Pac-12) broke a three-game losing streak.

Elijah Stewart had 16 points and nine rebounds and Katin Reinhardt scored 14 points for the Trojans (15-5, 4-3), who lost both games on their Oregon road trip.

''We have to defend better. Oregon State got to the rim way too many times,'' USC coach Andy Enfield said.

The Trojans led 40-36 at the break. Oregon State scored the first seven points of the second half, and a twisting lay-in by Payton gave the Beavers a 43-40 lead at the 18:45 mark.

The Beavers later went on a 9-0 surge, forcing five turnovers.

Oregon State shot 47.1 percent while the Trojans were at 33.9 percent. The Beavers also had a whopping 50 points in the paint, more than double that of USC.

The first half was fast-paced and close. USC went on an 8-0 run, which included two dunks by Chimezie Metu, to go ahead 30-25 with 5:18 left in the half.

An 8-0 burst, capped by Julian Jacobs' lay-in, let the Trojans close to 72-66 with 4:21 remaining. The Beavers scored the next six points, however, and were able to hang on for the win.

TIP-INS

USC: As of Thursday, the Trojans led the Pac-12 with 163 made 3-pointers. In the last four seasons, USC finished 11th or 12th in the conference in that category. ... The Trojans had 75 dunks in their first 19 games this season to 31 for opponents.

Oregon State: The Beavers entered the game 2-0 in the Pac-12 when outrebounding opponents, and were 0-4 when the opposition wins the battle of the boards. On Sunday, both teams had 43 rebounds ... Eubanks, a freshman center, returned to the starting lineup after being replaced for two games by senior Daniel Gomis. Oregon State has defeated USC seven consecutive times at Gill Coliseum.

LONG RANGE WOES: USC was averaging a Pac-12 leading 40.2 percent on 3-pointers, but the Trojans shot just 6 for 24 vs. Oregon State. ''I thought we took a few contested shots tonight, but for the most part, we just missed open shots,'' Enfield said. Oregon State shot only 3 for 18 from long range.

UP NEXT

USC hosts Washington State on Thursday.

Oregon State travels to Arizona State on Thursday.