Los Angeles , CA – USC fell victim to a crowd disappointing loss against Utah at The Galen Center, with a final score USC 69 Utah 80.
This was Utah’s game from the gate! They played a inside outside game with their main objective of running out the shot clock. And if they didn’t make the shot they know and was satisfied with the fact that they made USC guard them hard for the complete 30 seconds. A clever tactic used to kill any USC momentum. It was diabolically effective. The sheer desperation to take control of this game in some way shape or form led USC into foul trouble early in the first half. Utah was also wise enough to play a nice clean game keeping the Trojans off the line. Because that is a prime location USC uses to make their comebacks. Just in case I didn’t paint a vivid enough picture of how much trouble the Trojans were in the only lead they had in the entire game was by 3 points. They only held that lead for 53 seconds in the first half.
USC could do nothing with Utah’s Kyle Poeltl! He had 13 rebounds , hit 11 of 13 from the floor and was 7 of 8 from the line giving him a final game point total of 29 points.
USC had three players in double digits Bennie Boatwright, Jordan McLaughlin and Julian Jacobs. Other then that all their other stats were below average. USC wins when they are rebound aggressive, move the ball, blocking bullies and orchestrate smooth steels. All those elements were missing from tonight’s game.
USC will be embarking on a two game road trip in the bay Stanford on February 25 and Cal on February 28. The Trojan fans are hoping the three day break will be enough time for their team to regroup and get back to playing USC basketball.
