CORVALLIS - Ethan Thompson turned toward the Oregon State student section inside Gill Coliseum with a scream and smile, letting out joy that has been hard to come by in Pac-12 play.
The freshman guard had just splashed home a three-pointer from the left corner, putting the Beavers up 54-47 on Saturday night with eight minutes to play. Their game with USC was far from over, but OSU appeared to be once again shaking off its most troubling season-long demon: the blown lead.
But on the following possession of what would turn into a stunning 74-67 defeat, Trojans reserve guard Jordan Usher drilled a contested three-pointer from the right side of the floor before the ensuing media timeout.