Written by Sarah Bergstrom, USC blog contributor
The Trojans dominated the Huskies in their final home game of the season in a win that featured phenomenal performances from Julian Jacobs, Elijah Stewart and Nikola Jovanovic.
Click here for the full recap and box score from Saturday's victory.
Happy at Home
Each of USC's three conference wins this season were played at home, including Saturday's victory on Fan Appreciation Night. The energized Galen Center crowd witnessed one of the team's best showings of the year, as the Trojans played high-intensity and wildly-entertaining basketball from the opening tip to the final whistle. Three Trojans finished in double figures, including Nikola Jovanovic with 16 points, Elijah Stewart with 14 and Katin Reinhardt with 11. Even without forwards Strahinja Gavrilovic and Darion Clark (who left the game early due to a knee injury) USC dominated Washington in the paint, 44-14. The Trojans looked like the team they've aspired to be all year under head coach Andy Enfield, which he attributed to their ability to get out fast in transition. "Our goal all year was to improve every week and every month. We've done that," said Enfield after the game. "We are a much better basketball team. We had some bumps, we had some injuries but our goal is to compete. We're competing, we're getting better and we know the future is bright."
Speed Kills
The difference in Saturday's game was speed, as the Trojans got out to a fast start and never looked back. USC forced 12 turnovers, had eight steals and notched four blocks which allowed the team to capitalize on fast break opportunities and push the tempo. The Trojans led for the majority of the first half, but after the Huskies narrowed the lead to five, the coaching staff placed an emphasis on increasing defensive pressure in the second. Their players answered the call, going on a 19-10 run in the first seven minutes of the second half to put the game out of reach for Washington. Nikola Jovanovic played a pivotal role in the second half push, scoring 15 of his 16 total points after the break. Enfield was most impressed with freshman Elijah Stewart's ability to make plays on the defensive end of the court, allowing his team to break away with a victory. "To get out in transition you have to play good defense," explained Enfield. "We did that tonight. I thought Elijah and Julian played great tonight on defense. I think Elijah's going to be a an All-Pac-12 defender in his career here."
Numbers Game
The Trojans put up stellar numbers across the board, out-rebounding the Huskies 46 to 43 and shooting 43.8 percent from the field to Washington's 29.7. USC finished with 18 second-chance points and 19 fast break points as well. The team effort was highlighted by remarkable play from Jacobs and Stewart who both finished with career-high rebounding marks. Stewart nearly clinched a double-double with 14 points and nine boards, while Jacobs was in hot pursuit of a triple-double, finishing with 10 rebounds, nine assists and eight points. Jacobs is one of just two players in the country who is averaging 10 points, five assists and five rebounds in the month of February. The sophomore guard has stepped up in the absence of Jordan McLaughlin and continues to see improvement in his own game as well as his team's. "I want to do what I can to lead the best way that I can," said Jacobs. "Coach told me I had to embrace that sense of leadership and I'm trying to do that every time I step on the court."
Here are the SnappyTV highlights, including dunks from Elijah Stewart, Malik Martin and Julian Jacobs...
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