LOS ANGELES — The second half of Saturday’s game between USC men’s basketball and Washington State followed a strict pattern: A push by the Cougars to cut into the Trojans’ lead, followed by a USC response that put the game back out of reach.
Not that it didn’t get scary for USC when the visitors went on an 11-0 run to make it a two-possession game with 4:30 to play. But the Trojans approached the stretch run as it did the rest of the game: As a group.
Isaiah Mobley hit a baby hook to stop the bleeding. His brother Evan blocked a shot and hit a free throw to make it a three-possession game. Tahj Eaddy stepped inside the arc to knock down a long two-pointer. Then Isaiah White hustled to create a second- and third-chance possession to make it a double-digit game with less than a minute to play.
And despite the scares, USC walked off the Galen Center court with a wire-to-wire 85-77 win over the Cougars.
“I thought it was important when they did make a couple of those tough shots, we were able to come down and put points up on the other end,” USC head coach Andy Enfield said. “If you can’t stop the other team, you better score with them.”
The Trojans (11-2, 5-1 in Pac-12 play) and Cougars (9-4, 2-4) both entered the game among the best defensive teams in the country. USC was second in Division I in opponent field-goal position and Washington State was ninth.
Isaiah White #5 of the USC Trojans scrambles for the loose ball against Andrej Jakimovski #23 of the Washington State Cougars in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Isaiah White #5 of the USC Trojans scrambles for the loose ball against Andrej Jakimovski #23 of the Washington State Cougars in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Isaiah White #5 of the USC Trojans scrambles for the loose ball against Andrej Jakimovski #23 of the Washington State Cougars in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Isaiah White #5 of the USC Trojans scrambles for the loose ball against Andrej Jakimovski #23 of the Washington State Cougars in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Chevez Goodwin #1 of the USC Trojans is fouled by Noah Williams #24 of the Washington State Cougars in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Chevez Goodwin #1 of the USC Trojans reacts after a basket ands a foul against the Washington State Cougars in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Chevez Goodwin #1 of the USC Trojans fights for the loose ball against Efe Abogidi #0 of the Washington State Cougars in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head coach Andy Enfield of the USC Trojans reacts against the Washington State Cougars in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Tahj Eaddy #2 of the USC Trojans shoots against the Washington State Cougars in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Evan Mobley #4 of the USC Trojans drives to the basket against the Washington State Cougars in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Chevez Goodwin #1 of the USC Trojans fights for the loose ball against Efe Abogidi #0 of the Washington State Cougars in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Isaiah Mobley #3 of the USC Trojans shoots against he ]Washington State Cougars in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Chevez Goodwin #1 of the USC Trojans is fouled by Noah Williams #24 of the Washington State Cougars in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Chevez Goodwin #1 of the USC Trojans is fouled by Noah Williams #24 of the Washington State Cougars in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Washington State Cougars take a knee during the national anthem prior to a NCAA basketball game against the USC Trojans at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Drew Peterson #13 of the USC Trojans controls the ball against the Washington State Cougars in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Evan Mobley #4 of the USC Trojans drivers to the basket against thew Washington State Cougars in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Ethan Anderson #20 of the USC Trojans speaks the the team during a time out against the Washington State Cougars in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head coach Andy Enfield of the USC Trojans reacts against the Washington State Cougars in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Tony Miller #32 of the Washington State Cougars rebounds against the USC Trojans in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Tony Miller #32 of the Washington State Cougars rebounds against the USC Trojans in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Evan Mobley #4 of the USC Trojans fights for the loose ball against the Washington State Cougars in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Isaiah White #5 of the USC Trojans passes against the Washington State Cougars in the first half of a NCAA basketball game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Chevez Goodwin #1 of the USC Trojans shoots against the Washington State Cougars in the second half of a NCAA basketball game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Drew Peterson #13 of the USC Trojans shoots against the Washington State Cougars in the second half of a NCAA basketball game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Dishon Jackson #21 of the Washington State Cougars fights for the loose ball agains Isaiah Mobley #3 of the USC Trojans in the second half of a NCAA basketball game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Dishon Jackson #21 of the Washington State Cougars fights for the loose ball agains Isaiah Mobley #3 of the USC Trojans in the second half of a NCAA basketball game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Isaiah White #5 of the USC Trojans fights for the loose ball against Dishon Jackson #21 of the Washington State Cougars in the second half of a NCAA basketball game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Drew Peterson #13 of the USC Trojans controls the ball against Tony Miller #32 of the Washington State Cougars in the second half of a NCAA basketball game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Dishon Jackson #21 of the Washington State Cougars reacts after a foul against the USC Trojans in the second half of a NCAA basketball game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Max Agbonkpolo #23 of the USC Trojans shoots over Andrej Jakimovski #23 of the Washington State Cougars in the second half of a NCAA basketball game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head coach Kyle Andrew Smith of the Washington State Cougars reacts after having a technical fouled in the second half of a NCAA basketball game against the USC Trojans at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head coach Kyle Andrew Smith of the Washington State Cougars reacts after having a technical fouled in the second half of a NCAA basketball game against the USC Trojans at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head coach Kyle Andrew Smith of the Washington State Cougars reacts after having a technical fouled in the second half of a NCAA basketball game against the USC Trojans at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head coach Kyle Andrew Smith of the Washington State Cougars reacts after having a technical fouled in the second half of a NCAA basketball game against the USC Trojans at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head coach Kyle Andrew Smith of the Washington State Cougars looks on as Drew Peterson #13 of the USC Trojan shoots a basket after having a technical fouled in the second half of a NCAA basketball game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Max Agbonkpolo #23 of the USC Trojans drives to the basket against the Washington State Cougars in the second half of a NCAA basketball game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Max Agbonkpolo #23 of the USC Trojans slam dunks against the Washington State Cougars in the second half of a NCAA basketball game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Isaiah White #5 reacts after teammate Max Agbonkpolo #23 of the USC Trojans slam dunks against the Washington State Cougars in the second half of a NCAA basketball game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Chevez Goodwin #1 of the USC Trojans rebounds over Isaac Bonton #10 of the Washington State Cougars in the second half of a NCAA basketball game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
But the game was largely defined by offensive heroics, with USC shooting 46.4% from the floor and Washington State answering with a 49.1% clip. The Trojans made fewer mistakes, though, with just eight turnovers to the Cougars’ 15, which resulted in 24 USC points.
The Trojans, who have won six in a row, were led by senior guard Eaddy. The Santa Clara graduate transfer scored a season-high 21 points, one of four Trojans to score in double digits.
USC’s free-throw shooting — 15 of 29 — kept the Cougars in the game, as did Evan Mobley’s foul trouble in the second half limiting the damage the 7-foot freshman could do. And the Cougar backcourt pestered USC all night, with Isaac Bonton scoring a game-high 27 and Dishon Jackson adding 14.
“I thought in the first half our switching defenses was very effective,” Enfield said. “But then Bonton caught fire and made some really tough shots.”
The Cougars could never draw close enough, though.
When guard Noah Williams hit a floater to cut the USC lead to 10 in the second half, Williams was immediately hit with a technical. Eaddy split the free throws, then beat the Cougars’ first attempt at a press by finding a leaking Mobley down court for an easy layup, two of his 16 points.
Or after a pair of Efe Abogidi free throws made it a nine-point game, a Drew Peterson steal set up an electrifying two-handed dunk by Max Agbonkpolo, igniting a previously-stoic USC bench in the second half.
Peterson and Agbonkpolo combined again when Washington State cut the USC lead to eight. Out of a timeout, Peterson collected his own miss for a layup. Then Agbonkpolo intercepted a pass that went straight to him, drove up the court and found Peterson outside for an open 3 and a 13-point lead.
“Anyone can step up at any given moment, just depends on what the defense is giving us,” said Peterson, who finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds. “And me and Tahj were able to create and find guys off that late in the game today.”
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