Uniondale, N.Y. — Robert Hutchinson took charge in the final minutes when he suddenly found himself running the point for Southern California.
Hutchinson, a sophomore who came in when starting point guard Brandon Granville fouled out with seven minutes left, made five key free throws in the last 1:17 to lead the Trojans to a 74-71 victory over Boston College in the second round of the NCAA Tournament Saturday night.
USC's Sam Clancy, left, and David Bluthenthal, right, fight for a rebound with Jonatahn Beerbohm of Boston College. USC won Saturday in Uniondale, N.Y. in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
"I thought to myself that I've got to step up and lead the team to the Sweet 16," said Hutchinson, a transfer from Okaloosa-Walton College in Florida. "Coach told me just to relax."
Hutchinson, who made two quick turnovers when he came in, was just 4-of-7 from the foul line before shooting 5-of-6 against Boston College.
"I've told the guys all along that opportunities will come," coach Henry Bibby said. "And today, Robert Hutchinson was the hero."
David Bluthenthal scored 20 points, Jeff Trepagnier 18 and Sam Clancy had 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Trojans (23-9), who advanced past the second round for the first time since 1954.
Troy Bell scored 32 points for the third-seeded Eagles (27-5), whose eight-game winning streak was stopped by the sixth-seeded Trojans. Boston College had a chance to tie it in the closing seconds, but Kenny Harley drove to the basket instead of attempting a three-pointer and missed.
"It came down to the last shot," Harley said. "It was either go for the three or try to get the three-point play. In a situation like that, I tried to drive in and get some contact and draw a foul."
Bell got the rebound and missed a follow attempt as time expired.
"I think too much emphasis is being put on one play," Boston College coach Al Skinner said. "There were a lot of plays that could have affected the game. One thing I teach my kids is to always go for a good shot. If we hit it, there's still time left on the clock."
Bell blamed himself for not taking a potential game-tying three-pointer.
"I should have taken that last shot," said Bell, who was 8-of-20 from the field. "I was having a decent shooting night, and I take responsibility for not taking that last shot."
Southern Cal will play second-seeded Kentucky in the East Regional semifinals on Thursday night in Philadelphia. The Wildcats beat Iowa 92-79.
Boston College fell behind 56-45 with 8:09 remaining, but the Eagles went on an 11-1 run led by Bell's seven points to make it 57-56 with 5:37 left.
The Eagles didn't let the Trojans go up by more than three, and took their first lead since late in the first half when Bell scored on a layup to make it 64-63 with 2:42 left.
Clancy answered with a jumper at 2:10 to give the Trojans back the lead 65-64. Hutchinson made two free throws at 1:17, and then grabbed a rebound of a missed Boston College shot and passed to Clancy who dunked to give USC a 69-64 lead with 59.2 seconds left.
Harley made two free throws with 50.4 seconds left, and Uka Agbai dunked 14 seconds later to make it 69-68. Hutchinson made two more foul shots, and Bluthenthal followed with two of his own to give USC a 73-68 lead with 16.2 seconds left.
Bell nailed a three-pointer seven seconds later to make it 73-71. Hutchinson was fouled with 7.5 seconds left and missed his first shot, but drained the second to seal the Trojans' fifth straight victory.
Kentucky 92, Iowa 79
Uniondale, N.Y. Tayshaun Prince scored 31 points, and Kentucky (24-9) used a 12-0 run at the end of the first half to take control. Dean Oliver led Iowa (23-12) with 26 points, and Reggie Evans added 18 points and 13 rebounds.
UCLA 75,
Utah State 50
Greensboro, N.C. Dan Gadzuric had 16 points and 14 rebounds, and Jason Kapono scored 15 of his 19 points on three-pointers for the Bruins (23-8). Shawn Daniels scored 11 points to lead Utah State (28-6), which folded under UCLA's full-court press in the second half.
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