USC
Fairfield
Players Mentioned
USC Men's Basketball Opens ESPN Orlando Invitational With 54-47 Win Over Fairfield
November 28, 2019 | Men's Basketball, Features
Jonah Mathews scored 14 points and Elijah Weaver added 13 for the Trojans (6-1), who rebounded after their season-opening five-game winning streak was snapped in a 70-61 loss to Temple on Nov. 22.
"I thought it was great team defense," USC coach Andy Enfield said. "Our guards played tough, especially against their perimeter shooters."
Fairfield (1-5) got 16 points from Landon Taliaferro and 13 from Jesus Cruz.
USC overcome an eight-point deficit with 12 minutes left in the first half to take a 25-22 lead at the break. Weaver opened the second half with a pair of 3's to help USC go up 14 points with 8 minutes remaining.
Florida boy @___ewr is coming alive here in the second half!
— USC Men's Basketball (@USC_Hoops) November 28, 2019
He's the first Trojan in double figures, with 11 points and counting. pic.twitter.com/hDw2MtTOVh
USC dominated in the paint, outscoring Fairfield 24-6. The Trojans also had a 20-4 advantage in fast-break points.
Fairfield shot just 27% (17 of 63) and USC went 20 for 48 (41.7%).
BIG PICTURE
USC: Started a stretch of playing eight of 10 games away from home, including its first three in conference play. It could be a bonding experience for the Trojans, who started two freshmen and a sophomore.Fairfield: Coming off a 74-55 loss to then-No. 6 Maryland on Nov. 19 in which the Stags went 12 of 25 (48%) from 3-point range and trailed by just nine midway through the second half. Fairfield made 9 of 26 (34.6%) Thursday.
