USC snaps 4-game losing streak with win over Southern Utah
AP
Dec 22, 2018
LOS ANGELES (AP) USC has had a difficult December, but it can go into the Christmas break with a little bit of momentum after defeating Southern Utah Thunderbirds 91-49 on Friday night to snap a four-game losing streak.
''The guys played very well after having a tough stretch,'' said Trojans coach Andy Enfield, who got his 100th win in six years at the school. ''We took good shots for most of the night and shared the basketball.''
The 42-point win is USC's biggest since it won by the same margin against Cal State Fullerton in last season's opener.
USC (6-6) made 53.7 percent from the field (36 of 67), which marks the first time in six games they have made more than half their shots. Nick Rakocevic scored 21 points and Bennie Boatwright posted the sixth double-double of his career with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Boatwright controlled the lane as the Trojans had a 52-22 advantage in points in the paint. The Trojans led most of the game and were up 39-25 at halftime. They scored eight of the first 10 points in the second half and steadily pulled away, leading by as many as 43 late in the second half.
''We were being aggressive. I had a size advantage tonight and seeing the ball close to the rim is big for me,'' Boatwright said.
The Thunderbirds (5-4) - who have dropped three of their last four - came into the game averaging 83.1 points but were held to a season low. They committed a season-high 24 turnovers which led to 33 USC points and shot just 34 percent from the field (18 for 53).
''We were flat. We looked like a tired club out there,'' Southern Utah coach Todd Simon said. ''We have had a tough non-conference schedule and it showed up tonight.''
Andre Adams led the Thunderbirds with 13 points and Brandon Better added 12.
BIG PICTURE
Southern Utah: The Thunderbirds have lost seven straight against Pac-12 teams. Their last win against a team from the conference was against Washington State in 2003.
USC: The Trojans were better on 3-pointers, going 7 of 17 from beyond the arc. But they have made just 32 percent over the past six games (38 for 118). They started the season 17 of 33 on 3's in their first six. Jonah Mathews scored 14 points, including four 3-pointers.
KEY RUN
The game was tied at six when USC went on a 13-2 run over a four-minute stretch. The Trojans were four of five from the field as Boatwright scored five points and Mathews added three. Southern Utah scored five straight points before the Trojans ran off 11 straight for a 30-12 lead with 5:43 remaining. Rakocevic scored six during the spurt as USC took advantage of four Southern Utah turnovers.
QUOTE OF NOTE
''Need to get healthy over the break and get ready for Pac-12 play. We need to take some momentum into the second half of the season,'' Enfield on his team, with the start of conference play less than two weeks away.
UP NEXT
Southern Utah: Opens Big Sky play at home against Montana State on Dec. 29.
USC: Finishes non-conference play when it hosts UC Davis on Dec. 30.
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1st Half
SUU
Thunderbirds
25
USC
Trojans
39
Time
Team
Play
Score
20:00
Jumpball received by Southern California
19:49
Bennie Boatwright missed layup
19:47
Offensive rebound by Bennie Boatwright
19:36
+2
Bennie Boatwright made layup
0-2
19:28
Dre Marin missed 3-pt. jump shot
19:26
Defensive rebound by Nick Rakocevic
18:53
Bennie Boatwright missed 3-pt. jump shot
18:51
Defensive rebound by Jacob Calloway
18:43
+2
Andre Adams made jump shot
2-2
18:15
Nick Rakocevic missed jump shot
18:13
Defensive rebound by Dre Marin
18:13
Brandon Better missed 3-pt. jump shot
18:11
Defensive rebound by Bennie Boatwright
18:12
Shaqquan Aaron missed jump shot
18:10
Offensive rebound by Nick Rakocevic
17:56
Nick Rakocevic missed dunk
17:54
Defensive rebound by Cameron Oluyitan
17:41
Personal foul on Nick Rakocevic
17:29
+2
Brandon Better made jump shot
4-2
17:19
+2
Derryck Thornton made jump shot
4-4
16:58
+2
Andre Adams made layup
6-4
16:49
Jonah Mathews missed jump shot
16:47
Offensive rebound by Derryck Thornton
16:49
+2
Shaqquan Aaron made jump shot, assist by Derryck Thornton
6-6
16:49
Lost ball turnover on Dre Marin, stolen by Derryck Thornton
16:36
Personal foul on Dre Marin
16:36
Bennie Boatwright missed jump shot, blocked by Jacob Calloway
16:36
Defensive rebound by Andre Adams
16:36
Traveling violation turnover on Cameron Oluyitan
16:06
+2
Nick Rakocevic made jump shot, assist by Shaqquan Aaron
6-8
15:34
Jacob Calloway missed layup, blocked by Nick Rakocevic
15:32
Defensive rebound by Bennie Boatwright
15:23
+3
Jonah Mathews made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Derryck Thornton
6-11
15:02
+2
Cameron Oluyitan made layup, assist by Jacob Calloway
8-11
14:52
Personal foul on Cameron Oluyitan
14:52
+1
Nick Rakocevic made 1st of 2 free throws
8-12
14:52
Nick Rakocevic missed 2nd of 2 free throws
14:46
Offensive rebound by Jordan Usher
14:46
Lost ball turnover on Jordan Usher, stolen by Harrison Butler
14:40
Jason Richardson missed layup
14:38
Offensive rebound by Harrison Butler
14:37
Personal foul on Jonah Mathews
14:37
Harrison Butler missed 1st of 2 free throws
14:37
Harrison Butler missed 2nd of 2 free throws
14:37
Defensive rebound by Bennie Boatwright
14:16
Derryck Thornton missed 3-pt. jump shot
14:14
Personal foul on Harrison Butler
13:57
Harrison Butler missed layup
13:57
Lost ball turnover on Jordan Usher
13:57
Personal foul on Harrison Butler
13:43
Dre Marin missed 3-pt. jump shot
13:43
Offensive rebound by Harrison Butler
13:43
+2
Bennie Boatwright made layup
8-14
13:43
Personal foul on Andre Adams
13:43
+1
Bennie Boatwright made free throw
8-15
13:08
Lost ball turnover on Cameron Oluyitan, stolen by Derryck Thornton
12:57
+2
Jordan Usher made layup, assist by Bennie Boatwright
8-17
12:49
Andre Adams missed layup
12:47
Defensive rebound by Jordan Usher
12:39
+2
Bennie Boatwright made jump shot, assist by Derryck Thornton
8-19
12:16
Bad pass turnover on Jason Richardson, stolen by Jonah Mathews
12:05
Derryck Thornton missed 3-pt. jump shot
12:03
Defensive rebound by Dre Marin
11:57
+3
Andre Adams made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Jason Richardson
11-19
11:35
Out of bounds turnover on Derryck Thornton
11:04
Jason Richardson missed layup
11:01
Offensive rebound by Southern Utah
11:01
Personal foul on Jonah Mathews
11:01
+1
Jason Richardson made 1st of 2 free throws
12-19
11:01
Jason Richardson missed 2nd of 2 free throws
11:01
Defensive rebound by Southern California
10:50
Bennie Boatwright missed 3-pt. jump shot
10:48
Defensive rebound by Southern Utah
10:26
Kenton Eskridge missed 3-pt. jump shot
10:24
Defensive rebound by Derryck Thornton
10:10
+2
Derryck Thornton made layup
12-21
10:10
Personal foul on Jason Richardson
10:10
+1
Derryck Thornton made free throw
12-22
9:56
Jacob Calloway missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:54
Defensive rebound by Derryck Thornton
9:45
+2
Nick Rakocevic made dunk, assist by Jordan Usher
12-24
9:26
Personal foul on Derryck Thornton
9:26
Out of bounds turnover on Jacob Calloway
9:04
+2
Nick Rakocevic made layup
12-26
8:53
Bad pass turnover on Jason Richardson, stolen by Shaqquan Aaron
8:53
Shaqquan Aaron missed dunk, blocked by Andre Adams
8:49
Offensive rebound by Southern California
8:30
J'Raan Brooks missed 3-pt. jump shot
8:28
Offensive rebound by Southern California
8:22
Shot clock violation turnover on Southern California
8:08
Brandon Better missed jump shot
8:02
Defensive rebound by Nick Rakocevic
7:52
J'Raan Brooks missed jump shot
7:50
Defensive rebound by Ivan Madunic
7:38
Ivan Madunic missed 3-pt. jump shot
7:38
Offensive rebound by Kenton Eskridge
7:18
Lost ball turnover on Brandon Better
7:18
+2
Bennie Boatwright made jump shot
12-28
6:50
Out of bounds turnover on Dre Marin
6:41
Traveling violation turnover on Bennie Boatwright
6:16
Jacob Calloway missed 3-pt. jump shot
6:14
Personal foul on Derryck Thornton
5:51
Dre Marin missed 3-pt. jump shot
5:49
Defensive rebound by Shaqquan Aaron
5:41
+2
Nick Rakocevic made layup, assist by Shaqquan Aaron
12-30
5:25
Traveling violation turnover on Cameron Oluyitan
5:18
Offensive foul on Jonah Mathews
5:18
Turnover on Jonah Mathews
5:07
Brandon Better missed jump shot
5:05
Offensive rebound by Brandon Better
4:53
+2
Brandon Better made jump shot
14-30
4:35
Jordan Usher missed 3-pt. jump shot
4:33
Defensive rebound by Cameron Oluyitan
4:17
Andre Adams missed jump shot
4:15
Offensive rebound by Andre Adams
4:15
Andre Adams missed dunk
4:13
Defensive rebound by Nick Rakocevic
4:07
Offensive foul on Devin Fleming
4:07
Turnover on Devin Fleming
3:51
+3
Brandon Better made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Harrison Butler
17-30
3:51
Personal foul on Cameron Oluyitan
3:51
+1
Jordan Usher made 1st of 2 free throws
17-31
3:51
Jordan Usher missed 2nd of 2 free throws
3:51
Defensive rebound by Andre Adams
3:23
Bad pass turnover on Dre Marin, stolen by Shaqquan Aaron
3:16
+2
Nick Rakocevic made layup, assist by Derryck Thornton
17-33
2:55
Cameron Oluyitan missed layup
2:53
Defensive rebound by Southern California
2:42
+3
Shaqquan Aaron made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Derryck Thornton
17-36
2:22
+3
Brandon Better made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Cameron Oluyitan
20-36
1:46
Bennie Boatwright missed 3-pt. jump shot
1:44
Defensive rebound by Dre Marin
1:41
Personal foul on Shaqquan Aaron
1:41
Brandon Better missed 1st of 3 free throws
1:41
+1
Brandon Better made 2nd of 3 free throws
21-36
1:41
+1
Brandon Better made 3rd of 3 free throws
22-36
1:15
Nick Rakocevic missed layup
1:15
Offensive rebound by Nick Rakocevic
1:15
Personal foul on Andre Adams
1:15
Nick Rakocevic missed 1st of 2 free throws
1:15
+1
Nick Rakocevic made 2nd of 2 free throws
22-37
55.0
Bad pass turnover on Brandon Better, stolen by Nick Rakocevic
39.0
Derryck Thornton missed jump shot
37.0
Defensive rebound by Ivan Madunic
31.0
+3
Cameron Oluyitan made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Brandon Better
25-37
4.0
+2
Nick Rakocevic made dunk, assist by Shaqquan Aaron
25-39
2nd Half
SUU
Thunderbirds
24
USC
Trojans
52
Time
Team
Play
Score
19:51
Personal foul on Nick Rakocevic
19:44
Brandon Better missed jump shot
19:42
Defensive rebound by Shaqquan Aaron
19:32
+2
Bennie Boatwright made dunk, assist by Derryck Thornton
25-41
19:32
Personal foul on Andre Adams
19:32
+1
Bennie Boatwright made free throw
25-42
19:14
Out of bounds turnover on Brandon Better
18:52
Traveling violation turnover on Bennie Boatwright
18:40
Cameron Oluyitan missed jump shot
18:38
Personal foul on Bennie Boatwright
18:34
+2
Andre Adams made jump shot
27-42
18:22
+2
Nick Rakocevic made layup, assist by Shaqquan Aaron
27-44
18:22
Personal foul on Dre Marin
18:20
Nick Rakocevic missed free throw
18:20
Defensive rebound by Andre Adams
18:14
+2
Jonah Mathews made jump shot
27-46
18:14
Lost ball turnover on Cameron Oluyitan
18:01
Brandon Better missed 3-pt. jump shot
17:59
Defensive rebound by Nick Rakocevic
17:34
Personal foul on Jason Richardson
17:34
+1
Bennie Boatwright made free throw
27-47
17:34
Bennie Boatwright missed free throw
17:34
Defensive rebound by Andre Adams
17:24
Andre Adams missed layup
17:17
Offensive rebound by Andre Adams
17:17
+2
Andre Adams made layup
29-47
17:09
Nick Rakocevic missed dunk, blocked by Andre Adams
17:02
Defensive rebound by Dre Marin
16:46
Traveling violation turnover on Jason Richardson
16:44
Derryck Thornton missed layup
16:34
Defensive rebound by Andre Adams
16:31
+2
Jason Richardson made layup
31-47
16:18
Offensive foul on Jonah Mathews
16:18
Turnover on Jonah Mathews
16:10
Offensive foul on Andre Adams
16:10
Turnover on Andre Adams
15:45
Shaqquan Aaron missed layup, blocked by Cameron Oluyitan
15:43
Offensive rebound by Shaqquan Aaron
15:39
+3
Derryck Thornton made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Shaqquan Aaron
31-50
15:20
+3
Jacob Calloway made 3-pt. jump shot
34-50
15:07
Shaqquan Aaron missed jump shot
15:05
Defensive rebound by Ivan Madunic
14:51
Dre Marin missed layup
14:48
Defensive rebound by Derryck Thornton
14:48
Lost ball turnover on Shaqquan Aaron, stolen by Jacob Calloway
14:43
Personal foul on Shaqquan Aaron
14:43
Cameron Oluyitan missed 1st of 2 free throws
14:43
+1
Cameron Oluyitan made 2nd of 2 free throws
35-50
14:27
+2
Bennie Boatwright made layup
35-52
14:11
Personal foul on Jordan Usher
13:55
Lost ball turnover on Cameron Oluyitan, stolen by Derryck Thornton
13:34
+2
Bennie Boatwright made layup
35-54
13:33
Personal foul on Ivan Madunic
13:33
+1
Bennie Boatwright made free throw
35-55
13:26
Jacob Calloway missed 3-pt. jump shot
13:24
Defensive rebound by Bennie Boatwright
13:04
Bennie Boatwright missed jump shot, blocked by Cameron Oluyitan
13:02
Personal foul on Bennie Boatwright
12:52
Personal foul on J'Raan Brooks
12:52
+1
Cameron Oluyitan made 1st of 2 free throws
36-55
12:52
Cameron Oluyitan missed 2nd of 2 free throws
12:52
Defensive rebound by Victor Uyaelunmo
12:31
Nick Rakocevic missed jump shot
12:29
Offensive rebound by Nick Rakocevic
12:24
Personal foul on Jacob Calloway
12:24
+1
Nick Rakocevic made 1st of 2 free throws
36-56
12:24
+1
Nick Rakocevic made 2nd of 2 free throws
36-57
12:01
Lost ball turnover on Ivan Madunic, stolen by Victor Uyaelunmo
12:01
Offensive foul on Derryck Thornton
12:01
Turnover on Derryck Thornton
11:40
Harrison Butler missed jump shot
11:38
Defensive rebound by J'Raan Brooks
11:23
Personal foul on Jacob Calloway
11:23
Nick Rakocevic missed free throw
11:11
Defensive rebound by Maizen Fausett
11:11
Kenton Eskridge missed 3-pt. jump shot
11:09
Defensive rebound by Jonah Mathews
10:45
+2
Jordan Usher made jump shot, assist by Jonah Mathews
36-59
10:24
Kenton Eskridge missed dunk, blocked by Victor Uyaelunmo
10:22
Defensive rebound by Jordan Usher
10:12
Jonah Mathews missed 3-pt. jump shot
10:10
Offensive rebound by Bennie Boatwright
9:55
Bennie Boatwright missed layup
9:53
Offensive rebound by Jonah Mathews
9:53
+2
Victor Uyaelunmo made layup, assist by Jonah Mathews
36-61
9:53
Out of bounds turnover on Harrison Butler
9:40
+2
Victor Uyaelunmo made dunk, assist by Bennie Boatwright
36-63
9:33
Kenton Eskridge missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:31
Defensive rebound by Bennie Boatwright
9:27
+2
Shaqquan Aaron made layup, assist by Bennie Boatwright
36-65
9:06
Brandon Better missed layup
9:04
Defensive rebound by Bennie Boatwright
8:48
+2
Victor Uyaelunmo made layup
36-67
8:39
+2
Andre Adams made layup, assist by Brandon Better
38-67
8:11
Bennie Boatwright missed 3-pt. jump shot
8:09
Offensive rebound by Victor Uyaelunmo
7:57
Victor Uyaelunmo missed dunk
7:55
Offensive rebound by Shaqquan Aaron
7:42
Shaqquan Aaron missed jump shot
7:40
Defensive rebound by Jason Richardson
7:30
+2
Jacob Calloway made layup, assist by Jason Richardson
40-67
7:28
Lost ball turnover on Jonah Mathews, stolen by Jason Richardson
7:28
Personal foul on Shaqquan Aaron
7:28
Andre Adams missed 1st of 2 free throws
7:28
Andre Adams missed 2nd of 2 free throws
7:28
Defensive rebound by Jonah Mathews
7:18
Nick Rakocevic missed layup
7:16
Offensive rebound by Nick Rakocevic
7:08
+2
Nick Rakocevic made layup
40-69
7:02
Harrison Butler missed layup, blocked by Nick Rakocevic
7:00
Defensive rebound by Bennie Boatwright
6:51
+3
Jonah Mathews made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Bennie Boatwright
40-72
6:39
Andre Adams missed jump shot
6:37
Defensive rebound by Bennie Boatwright
6:03
Derryck Thornton missed 3-pt. jump shot
6:01
Defensive rebound by Andre Adams
5:54
Cameron Oluyitan missed 3-pt. jump shot
5:52
Defensive rebound by Jonah Mathews
5:43
+3
Jonah Mathews made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Derryck Thornton
40-75
5:28
Lost ball turnover on Cameron Oluyitan, stolen by Jonah Mathews
5:20
Personal foul on Jacob Calloway
5:20
+1
Nick Rakocevic made 1st of 2 free throws
40-76
5:20
Nick Rakocevic missed 2nd of 2 free throws
5:20
Defensive rebound by Ivan Madunic
5:12
Lost ball turnover on Jacob Calloway, stolen by Jonah Mathews
5:01
+3
Jonah Mathews made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Derryck Thornton
40-79
4:46
+3
Dre Marin made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Ivan Madunic
43-79
4:31
Lost ball turnover on Nick Rakocevic, stolen by Jacob Calloway
4:28
Turnover on Jason Richardson
4:04
+3
J'Raan Brooks made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Jordan Usher
43-82
3:52
Out of bounds turnover on Brandon Better
3:30
+2
Jordan Usher made layup
43-84
3:30
Personal foul on Kenton Eskridge
3:30
Jordan Usher missed free throw
3:30
Defensive rebound by Harrison Butler
3:13
Brandon Better missed jump shot
3:02
Bad pass turnover on Devin Fleming, stolen by Ivan Madunic
2:52
+2
Maizen Fausett made layup, assist by Kenton Eskridge
45-84
2:38
J'Raan Brooks missed layup
2:36
Defensive rebound by Maizen Fausett
2:28
Out of bounds turnover on Dre Marin
2:16
+2
McKay Anderson made layup, assist by Jordan Usher
45-86
2:00
Ivan Madunic missed 3-pt. jump shot
1:58
Defensive rebound by Victor Uyaelunmo
1:50
Personal foul on Dre Marin
1:50
+1
Devin Fleming made 1st of 2 free throws
45-87
1:50
Devin Fleming missed 2nd of 2 free throws
1:50
Defensive rebound by Ivan Madunic
1:08
+2
Dre Marin made layup
47-87
1:08
Offensive foul on Jordan Usher
1:08
Turnover on Jordan Usher
1:08
Personal foul on Devin Fleming
1:00
+1
Kenton Eskridge made 1st of 2 free throws
48-87
1:00
Kenton Eskridge missed 2nd of 2 free throws
1:00
Offensive rebound by Maizen Fausett
57.0
Maizen Fausett missed 3-pt. jump shot
53.0
Defensive rebound by Victor Uyaelunmo
36.0
+2
Jordan Usher made layup, assist by J'Raan Brooks
48-89
24.0
Lost ball turnover on Matthew Johnson, stolen by Victor Uyaelunmo