USC drops first game of season with loss to Texas A&M

Texas A&M vs USC at the Galen Center on Sunday November 26, 2017 (Photo by Steven Baffo / fi360 News)
Texas A&M vs USC at the Galen Center on Sunday November 26, 2017 (Photo by Steven Baffo / fi360 News)

Los Angeles, CA – After tying it at 42 on Chemizie Metu’s two-handed slam dunk in the second half, No. 10 USC could not get into a rhythm on offense. USC missed open shots from inside and outside while Texas A&M used a 19-3 run to pull away from the Trojans.

DJ Hogg scored 15 points to lead No. 16 Texas A&M past USC, 75-59, at the Galen Center on Sunday night. The Aggies handed USC their first loss of the season and snapped the Trojans 21-game nonconference winning streak.

“I thought our defense was good enough to win,” USC coach Andy Enfield said. “ Our offense was not. We kept missing easy shots. It deflates you.”

Texas A&M vs USC at the Galen Center on Sunday November 26, 2017 (Photo by Steven Baffo / fi360 News)

USC kept the game competitive in the first half with the help of Nick Rakocevic’s scoring down low. The sophomore forward led the Trojans with 11 points and six rebounds heading into halftime down, 38-31.

Once the Trojans tied it at 42, both teams exchanged turnovers before Texas A&M went on 11-0 to take a comfortable lead. USC missed open jump shots and shots in the lane at the rim while the Aggies got easy transition shots.

“This game is on me,” Enfield said. “We just didn’t play as well as they did. Whatever I did to prepare the team obviously did not work.”

Texas A&M vs USC at the Galen Center on Sunday November 26, 2017 (Photo by Steven Baffo / fi360 News)

Bennie Boatwright gone on the board with a pair of free throws after being held scoreless for three quarters. USC shot 28.2 percent from the field and were out-rebounded, 52-39.

“We wouldn’t be here without Bennie Boatwright,” Enfield said. “He had an off night, it happens to everyone.”

USC will hit the road to take on the SMU Mustangs on Saturday, Dec. 2.

“We just didn’t hit shots tonight,” USC guard Jordan McLaughlin said. “ We are staying in attack mode.”