USC men's basketball fell short against their Brazilian opponents for a second day in a row on Tuesday. However, it was a knee injury sustained by Jio Fontan in the latest exhibition game that may result in perhaps the Trojans' biggest loss.
Attempting to go strong to the basket, contact was made and Fontan landed awkwardly in the first half of the exhibition game against Mogi Das Cruzes in Sao Paulo.
For now, X-rays came up negative and the injury is being diagnosed as a sprain, but the Trojans' starting guard and team captain is expected to have an MRI examination on Wednesday and should learn the full extent of the injury in the coming days.
With Fontan shelved for much of the game and forward Aaron Fuller sitting out due to illness, walk-on Eric Strangis saw extended minutes, along with Greg Allen, Alexis Moore and Byron Wesley, each of whom have had to sit out the previous two exhibition games as they awaited the posting of their summer grades.
Point guard Mo Jones led the way with 17 points and 8 rebounds for the Trojans in the 81-70 loss to Mogi das Cruzes, while forward-center Dewayne Dedmon busted out with a 15-point, 5-rebound and 3-block performance.
After posting two straight double-doubles, sophomore forward Garrett Jackson was unable to make it three in a row; however, he still finished with a solid 12 points and 6 rebounds.
Next for coach Kevin O'Neill and the USC squad is a trip to Rio de Janeiro where the Trojans will play their final Brazilian exhibition game on Friday.
Read a full recap of the game here.
© 2011 Neal J. Leitereg -- All Rights Reserved
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