USC comes back to defeat CSU Bakersfield with short roster

NCAA Basketball Cal State University Bakersfield vs USC at Galen Center on November 25, 2018. (Photo by Rick Gurrola / fi360 News)
NCAA Basketball Cal State University Bakersfield vs USC at Galen Center on November 25, 2018. (Photo by Rick Gurrola / fi360 News)

Los Angeles, CA – Jordan Usher scored 22 points and Bennie Boatwright added 19 points to help USC defeat CSU Bakersfield, 90-75, Sunday at the Galen Center.

 

USC erased a seven-point deficit and went on a 26-5 run in the second half to take control of the game.

 

NCAA Basketball Cal State University Bakersfield vs USC at Galen Center on November 25, 2018. (Photo by Rick Gurrola / fi360 News)

“Our players played well enough offensively and we got some key stops in the last eight minutes to really turn the game,” USC coach Andy Enfield said. “It was a good overall team win with a short handed roster.”

 

The Trojans were missing three key rotating players. Freshman Kevin Porter Jr. was out with a thigh injury. Sophomore guard Charles O’Bannon had surgery to repair a broken left pinky finger on Nov. 15. He’s expected to miss a month of action.

 

NCAA Basketball Cal State University Bakersfield vs USC at Galen Center on November 25, 2018. (Photo by Rick Gurrola / fi360 News)

Freshman Elijah Weaver made his first career start at point guard in place of injured starter Derryck Thornton and finished with seven points and five assists.

 

USC went on a 9-0 run and hit 6 of their last 7 to take a 22-15 lead over the Roadrunners in the first half. CSU Bakersfield stormed back, shooting over 50 percent from the field to take a 46-44 lead at the half.

 

The Trojans outscored CSU Bakersfield 32-10 in the last 11:35. Usher scored nine while Boatwright and Nick Rakocevic scored seven during the run.

 

NCAA Basketball Cal State University Bakersfield vs USC at Galen Center on November 25, 2018. (Photo by Rick Gurrola / fi360 News)

“I waited my turn and took the advantage of the opportunity,” Usher said. “We have guys that can score up and down the roster. Tonight was just my night.”

 

USC will host Long Beach State on Wednesday, Nov. 28.

 

“It was a challenging game for us tonight,” Enfield said. “I give Bakersfield credit. They really came out strong and shot the ball at a terrific rate.”