USC
18-7,7-5Pac-12
Washington
12-13,2-10Pac-12
Team Stats
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
Nick Rakocevic, Jonah Mathews Lead USC Men's Basketball to 62-56 Victory Over Washington
February 13, 2020 | Men's Basketball, Features
LOS ANGELES — Nick Rakocevic had 19 points and nine rebounds while Jonah Mathews scored 16 and hit four 3-pointers as USC defeated Washington, 62-56, to snap a three-game losing streak Thursday night.
The win avenged the Trojans' 72-40 loss in Seattle on Jan. 5 and also ended USC's four-game head-to-head skid against the Huskies.
"It was a great win for us," said USC coach Andy Enfield. "We really battled. We were a little inconsistent in the first half. It was a rough week. We had 8 guys show up tonight and compete. Other guys stepped up, our team rallied around that.
USC forward Onyeka Okongwu (concussion) and guard Kyle Sturdivant (bereavement) did not play Thursday. Trojans guard Ethan Anderson left the game early in the second half with an ankle injury and did not return.
Isaiah Mobley started in Okongwu's place and had 10 points and seven rebounds in the elevated role.
Neither team shot well as both squads finished at an approximate 35% clip from the field. The first half was tightly contested until Washington (12-13, 2-10 Pac-12) took a 10-3 run that brought the Huskies to a 30-25 lead at halftime.
Coming out of the locker room, the Trojans (18-7, 7-5 Pac-12) rode a 11-0 burst that returned them the lead.
BANG BANG!@jonah_mathews4 hits a three to put the Trojans up by 8! pic.twitter.com/6ODQ97Z04W
— USC Men's Basketball (@USC_Hoops) February 14, 2020
After both teams continued to battle throughout the second half, USC went on a 13-2 and held Washington scoreless for a seven-minute stretch. The Trojans' surge was capped off by Rakocevic's and-one that put USC up 10 to keep the game out of reach.
The Trojans held Washington to just 8-for-31 shooting in the second half. USC also had a season-low six turnovers throughout the entire game.
Jaden McDaniels had 19 points and 10 rebounds for Washington.
USC's homestand against the Washington schools continue with a Saturday matchup against Washington State (5pm, Pac-12 Networks).
"Every game now is important trying to get to March, especially a home game," Mathews said. "We have to stay focused and it'll all come together."
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DeRozan Honored, Other NBA Trojans Attend
The NBA's All-Star break allowed several Trojans in the pros to return to Los Angeles for the weekend.
Former Trojan and current San Antonio Spurs guard DeMar DeRozan returned to Galen Center and had his No. 10 put up in the rafters during a halftime ceremony.
Raised to the rafters.
— USC Men's Basketball (@USC_Hoops) February 14, 2020
#️⃣🔟 @DeMar_DeRozan pic.twitter.com/fTmtgzO4Ta
#️⃣🔟 @DeMar_DeRozan ❤️💛 pic.twitter.com/bUk5CBkh73
— USC Men's Basketball (@USC_Hoops) February 14, 2020
"This is everything," DeRozan told the crowd during his speech. "It's beyond an honor ... I'm just trying to be an inspiration to [my] kids and everyone coming out from this community and keep moving forward, keep pushing."
A four-time NBA All-Star, DeRozan averaged 13.9 points and 5.7 rebounds per game in his only season at USC. He was named to the 2009 Pac-10 All-Time Freshman Team and was awarded the 2009 Pac-10 Tournament MVP after leading the Trojans to their only conference tournament championship.
DeRozan's Spurs teammate Chimezie Metu was also in attendance and sat courtside with fellow recent USC alumni Kevin Porter Jr. and Bennie Boatwright.
Three great Trojans in the house to support @DeMar_DeRozan and the boys tonight!
— USC Men's Basketball (@USC_Hoops) February 14, 2020
✌️@benniebuckets__
✌️ @Kevinporterjr
✌️ @Chimezie_Metu pic.twitter.com/JooJgWgs07
Other special guests in the Galen Center who attended Thursday's game were new USC cornerbacks coach Donte Williams and Los Angeles Lakers center DeMarcus Cousins.
