USC basketball gets back into win column vs. Alabama State

In the final Pac-12/SWAC Legacy Series game, USC men’s basketball (6-5) got back in the win column with a 79-58 victory over Alabama State (4-6) on Tuesday night at Dunn-Oliver Acadome.

USC freshman forward Arrinten Page had a career-high 12 points that led the Trojans in scoring, along with four rebounds. USC junior guard Kobe Johnson and freshman Isisah Collier finished with 11 points each.

“I thought [Johnson] impacted the game all over the floor, just like we need him to do,” associate head coach Chris Capko said.

Alabama State junior guard TJ Madlock had a game-high 17 points.

USC freshman guard Bronny James had a career-high six points and three rebounds.

The Trojans were without their best scorer for the majority of the game, as fifth-year guard Boogie Ellis left with a hip contusion after colliding on a layup with the Hornets’ 7-foot-1 sophomore center Ubong Okon in the first half.

The frontcourt of graduate forward DJ Rodman and redshirt senior forward Joshua Morgan showed up in an impactful way. Rodman’s 10-rebound performance was a team-high. Morgan had seven of his own, as well as four blocks. The team finished with a season-high 52 rebounds.

“Josh gave us great defense today,” Capko said. “That’s what we need it to be for us to be our best team defensively and improve upon our defense issue.”

After a blowout loss on Sunday against Auburn, USC came out aggressive to start the game. Johnson started the game with four points of his own, sparking an 8-0 run.

Everything clicked for the Trojans on both sides of the ball in the first half. The Trojans’ defense was on full display, holding the Hornets to only 18 first-half points and 21% shooting from the field.

“The first half was great,” Capko said. “We were helping each other out, we had good energy and good effort.”

After a rough first half for the Hornets, they began the second half with a 7-0 run in the first five minutes. Yet, USC weathered the storm and found its rhythm on offense to end the game, as the Hornets’ 21-point halftime deficit was too much to erase.

“I wanted to see how we responded to some adversity, too, and I thought our effort was maintained,” Capko said. “The guys stayed together.”

USC had one of its stronger shooting nights this season, hitting 37% from three and 40% from the field.

“I think we can be a really good team, but it’s going to start with defense,” Capko said.

The Trojans begin conference play next week as they continue their four-game road stretch with a visit to Oregon on Thursday, Dec. 28, at Matthew Knight Arena at 6 p.m.