Men’s Basketball | October 26, 2024
Story Links
The USC men’s basketball team showcased their potential with an exhilarating 96-93 triumph over the highly-ranked No. 6 Gonzaga during a charity exhibition game held at the Acrisure Arena on Saturday, October 26. This victory was propelled by an impressive 20-point performance from graduate transfer Terrance William II, who has rapidly become a pivotal player for the Trojans.
In a display of offensive depth, five Trojans broke into double digits, with Chibuzo Agbo contributing 15 points and leading the team in rebounding with seven boards, demonstrating his prowess on both ends of the court. Desmond Claude was pivotal in the Trojans’ scoring efforts, adding 19 points, while both Josh Cohen and Matt Knowling offered valuable contributions with 13 points each, solidifying USC’s offensive balance.
The spirited Gonzaga squad, which made its debut at No. 6 in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 poll, was led by Arkansas graduate transfer Khalif Battle. The 6-foot-5 guard scored 20 points in a competitive matchup against his former coach Eric Musselman, adding an emotional edge to the game.
USC maintained control for nearly 30 minutes of play, demonstrating a strong presence in the paint by outrebounding the Zags 34-32 and blocking five shots. They also excelled in scoring in the paint, winning that battle 38-32. The Trojans effectively limited Gonzaga’s three-point shooting, holding them to just 40.9% from beyond the arc, with the Zags making 9 of their 22 attempts.
A quick and decisive 10-0 scoring run catapulted the Trojans into a commanding lead early in the second half. USC’s largest advantage came during this period, allowing them to pull ahead by 11 points, leading 61-50 with just 10:54 left on the game clock. The Trojans thrived offensively, churning out an impressive 59 points in the second half to seal the game with a final score of 96-93, thereby finishing the preseason with a perfect 2-0 record.
NEXT:
USC will kick off their home season by hosting UT-Chattanooga at the Galen Center on Monday, November 4, at 7 p.m. This contest marks the start of an exciting six-game homestand for Troy.
