The Cougars returned to Beasley Coliseum this evening to host the USC Trojans. This evening started off much better than last weekend's, as the Cougs opened the game on a 10-3 run in which the Trojans were forced to call two timeouts to slow WSU's momentum. But USC would return from the first media timeout and go on a 10-1 run that put it up 13-11 with 12:30 left to play in the half. During the run, the Cougs only attempted one field goal, which they missed, compared to USC which went 4-of-6 from the floor including two 3-point field goals. Following the 12-minute media timeout, WSU returned with an 8-0 run of its own, spurred by a Brock Motum lay in, and took back the lead, 19-13. For the remainder of the half the Cougs and Trojans traded buckets as WSU was able to maintain a single-digit lead. Entering the locker room at the half, the Cougs held a six-point lead, 30-24. The second half consisted of a series of runs by both teams in which the Cougars would extend their lead and USC would pull the Cougs back in. The half began with a run by WSU, extending its lead to 14 by the 13:24 mark before the Trojans would slow the Cougars. USC returned the favor with an 11-2 run of their own that cut WSU's lead down to four with 6:42 left to play. WSU made a short run to put itself back up by 11 with the help of free throws by Motum and Mike Ladd. However, USC wasn't going down without a fight and cut the Cougar lead to five with less than two minutes to play, but the Cougs were able to burn enough clock and force the Trojans to foul sending the Cougs to the stripe where they converted 2-of-3 to give the Cougs a seven-point victory, 60-53.

Player of the Game:
Brock Motum. Brock Motum earns this evening's Player of the Game as he posted the only double-digit performance of the night for the Cougs with 26 points. Motum shot 9-of-11 in the game and 7-of-10 from the stripe while pulling in eight rebounds. Last weekend against the Sun Devils, Motum posted a career-high 34 points and is now averaging a team-high 16.8 while shooting .576 from the floor.

Play of the Game:
Brock Motum fake and finish. Although DaVonte' Lacy also had an impressive play early in the game, Motum also receives tonight's Play of the Game. Motum had control of the ball on the wing early in the second half and made a quick, one-step juke move to throw his defender off balance allowing Motum to make an explosive, one-dribble, three-step drive to the basket, elevate in the open lane, and slam it home with emphasis.

Turning Point:
When USC started fouling. This game was close throughout. Both teams exchanged runs as the Cougs would extend their lead and the Trojans would cut it back down. With only 1:43 to play, the Cougs maintained a five-point lead, but USC was on an 8-2 run and attempting to take one final lead. However, WSU was able to burn enough clock and prevent any Trojan field goals and USC was forced to foul with less than 30 seconds to go, signaling to the crowd and the Cougars that the game was over.

Stat of the Game:
Free throws. The Cougs shot 16 more free throws than the Trojans on the night and committed a season-low eight fouls. WSU was able to convert 14-of-19 from the stripe while USC was limited to only three attempts, two of which it made. Free throws proved to be a difference-maker in this game as WSU held on to win by seven points.

The Cougars are now 4-6 in Pac-12 play and 12-10 overall. WSU returns to action this Saturday at 2 p.m. as it faces UCLA (5-5, 12-10) in a televised event on ROOT Sports. Following the game Saturday, the Cougs will hit the road to face the Oregon schools down in Oregon the following weekend.

Waving the flag for Wazzu,

Jim Crawford


WSU vs. USC Game Highlights