USC
19-7,8-5Pac-12
Washington State
14-12,5-8Pac-12
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Daniel Utomi Erupts For 23 Points as USC Men's Basketball Routs Washington State, 70-51
February 15, 2020 | Men's Basketball, Features
Ethan Anderson had 12 points and nine assists for USC (19-7, 8-5 Pac-12). Isaiah Mobley made his second-straight start in place of Onyeka Okongwu (concussion) and had nine points and 10 rebounds.
"It was a good win," said USC head coach Andy Enfield. "We were shorthanded. We played hard and very good defense. Our offense was streaky at times, but we turned it on when we needed to."
Thursday continued a hot streak for Utomi, who is averaging 16.8 points over his last four games. The grad transfer from Akron moved into the starting lineup full-time on Jan. 11 against UCLA.
"It was all mental," Utomi said on his slow start to the season. "I started to find my role and get comfortable."
Straight 🔥🔥🔥 from @KINFOLKDAN tonight!
— USC Men's Basketball (@USC_Hoops) February 16, 2020
Utomi's got 20 points, including 4 three-pointers!
📺: @Pac12Network pic.twitter.com/gYywmjflaw
USC saw an improvement to its recent shooting woes as the Trojans shot 45.2% from the field. They were also 9-of-18 from the 3-point line, which was USC's best clip since Jan. 13.
"If I play well, and Jonah [Mathews], the shooters, it opens the game for the inside players," Utomi said. "It's very simple."
Washington State (14-12, 5-8 Pac-12) opened the game on an 8-0 run, but the Trojans quickly found themselves back. USC used an 18-4 stretch later in the first half to enter halftime with a nine-point lead.
The Trojans continued their onslaught in the second half immediately with a 14-3 run. After Washington State got back within 10 points, USC went on an 11-0 stretch to pull away for the rest of the night.A @KINFOLKDAN to @Nolomit_E alley-oop caps off a 9-2 run for the Trojans!
— USC Men's Basketball (@USC_Hoops) February 16, 2020
📺: @Pac12Network pic.twitter.com/yoyRC0pbly
CJ Elleby finished with 22 points and five steals for Washington State, who was held to 28.6% from the field.
Okongwu and guard Kyle Sturdivant (bereavement) were held out for the second straight game.
The Trojans' two dual-sport athletes — Drake London (football) and Talin Lewis (track) — appeared during the game's closing minutes.
London, a true freshman who had five touchdown catches in the 2019 football season, made his second appearance on the court and had two rebounds in his Galen Center debut.
USC, who remains in contention for a Pac-12 Tournament first-round bye with five games left, heads on its final conference road trip next week to face Colorado on Thursday and Utah on Feb. 23.
"We're a game out of first," Enfield said. "We know how tough it is to go to the mountain schools. It's the toughest road trip in the Pac-12."
The Trojans then return home to the Galen Center the following week to host Arizona (White-Out and Social Media Night) on Feb. 27 and Arizona State (Youth Basketball Night) on Feb. 29.
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