USC breaks away from pesky Grambling State for fifth win

Chibuzo Agbo scored 21 factors, Josh Cohen added 18 factors and Southern California held off a troublesome effort from visiting Grambling State en path to an 80-69 Trojans win on Sunday in Los Angeles.

After exchanging the lead 20 instances, USC (5-1) opened up a 12-point lead halfway by means of the second half on the energy of a 14-0 run. Agbo knocked down a pair of 3-pointers, a part of a 4-of-9 capturing evening from past the arc for him, through the surge.

Grambling (1-4) responded with an 13-3 run that introduced the Trojans lead again to a one-possession margin. A P.J. Eason dunk with 4:36 remaining in regulation introduced the Tigers inside 68-66.

Desmond Claude responded with a layup on the opposite finish, and Agbo pressured a turnover on the following Grambling possession to arrange his personal rating on the rim. The 4 fast Trojans factors gave USC a cushion it maintained down the stretch.

Claude completed with 14 factors, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. His swipe from Mikale Stevenson within the remaining minute and transition lay-in put the sport away for USC, which closed its season-opening, six-game homestand with a pair of wins after final Sunday’s loss to Cal.

Grambling led for greater than 13 minutes of recreation time and took a 38-37 lead into halftime, however the Tigers’ benefit by no means grew past 5 factors. Grambling matched USC in each total subject targets made, with every flattening 25, and 3-pointers, with seven apiece.

Six of the seven Tigers who scored made a minimum of one 3-pointer, led by Kintavious Dozier’s 2-of-3 effort. Dozier scored a team-high 17 factors to guide three Tigers in double figures. Stevenson added 14 factors and dished 10 assists, whereas Antwan Burnett chipped in 13 factors.

USC’s final benefit got here on the free-throw line. The Trojans bought to the charity stripe for 33 makes an attempt, making 23, whereas Grambling went 12-of-14 on the line.

–Area Degree Media