The USC Trojans prolonged their season by one game. They hope they can continue to extend their season throughout the week in Las Vegas at the Pac-12 Tournament. USC beat Washington on Wednesday in the first round of the Pac-12 Tournament. The 80-74 win sends the Trojans into the quarterfinals on Thursday at noon Pacific time against top-seeded Arizona.
This game against Washington was close all the way. Washington managed a five-point lead at 59-54 with just over eight minutes left in regulation, and the Trojans were in trouble. Then they responded.
USC produced a 10-0 run over the next two and a half minutes to grab a 69-64 lead near the 5:30 mark. Washington tied the game at 65, but the 10-0 run stabilized the game for USC and rescued the Trojans from an alarming situation. UW’s Sahvir Wheeler fouled USC’s Bronny James on a 3-point shot attempt with 3:29 left. Bronny made all three foul shots to give USC a 68-65 lead. The Trojans built their lead to two possessions and led by at least four points for the rest of the game, which ends Washington’s season and also coach Mike Hopkins’ tenure in Seattle. Hopkins will not be retained, and UW will begin its search for a new head coach.
USC was led by 25 points from Boogie Ellis. Isaiah Collier handed out 7 assists. Kobe Johnson did a little of everything for the Trojans, scoring 14 points, grabbing 8 boards, handing out 4 assists, and collecting 3 steals. USC shot 50 percent from the field, 28 of 56.
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