College Hoops

USC Men’s Basketball Powers Past San José State 82-68

USC Men’s Basketball Powers Past San José State 82-68


LOS ANGELES – It was nothing but net at the Galen Center Wednesday night, as the USC men’s basketball team put on a shooting clinic to defeat the San José State Spartans 82-68. With the win, the Trojans improve to 4-1 on the season. 

As a team, USC shot the ball better than they had all season, hitting 57 percent from the field and 46 percent from beyond the arc. The Trojan bench also turned in a monstrous performance, outscoring the Spartan bench 54-11 and turning the tide USC’s way.

“Everybody is contributing and that’s what we need,” said graduate forward Terrance Williams II after the game. “We are going to need all 14 people, including walk-ons, when the Big Ten comes around.”
The Trojans had a seven-point lead at halftime after edging out the Spartans in an offensive-heavy first half. With both teams shooting fifty percent or higher from the field, strong performances from Williams (13) and sophomore guard Wesley Yates III (10) put the Trojans on course for victory.
The second half belonged to graduate forwards Matt Knowling and Chibuzo Agbo, who both exploded for double digit performances in the final twenty minutes. Knowling finished for 12 points and eight rebounds while Agbo recorded 20 points–including 7-for-11 from three–and seven rebounds off the bench. 
“The entire coaching staff is super proud of how Terrance and Chibuzo handled [coming off the bench], which is what you want out of experienced veterans,” head coach Eric Musselman said. “I don’t think they could have handled it any better.”
Williams and Yates also had strong second halves, finishing with 20 and 14 points, respectively. Graduate forward Saint Thomas also recorded nine assists (tying his career record) and eight rebounds.

It was a momentous victory for several Trojans who recorded career milestones Wednesday night, led by Musselman, who won his 225th game as a collegiate head coach. Knowling surpassed 900 career points, while Williams passed 800 career points and 100 career points.

Following the victory, the Trojans will turn their sights forward to Sunday afternoon as they prepare to host the Grambling State Tigers at the Galen Center. Tipoff will take place at 4 p.m. PT. The game will be broadcast on the B1G+. 

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