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USC Men's Basketball Rallies to Beat Utah, 56-52
January 30, 2020 | Men's Basketball, Features
After stumbling out of the opening tip off to a 14-4 deficit and trailing for the entire first half, USC used a late charge to defeat Utah 56-52 Thursday night.
Nick Rakocevic led the Trojans (17-4, 6-2 Pac-12) with 16 points — including a go-ahead tip-in with 20 seconds left — with 15 rebounds for his 27th double-double. Jonah Mathews chipped in 13 points and Onyeka Okongwu scored 11 with 11 rebounds.
It was the Trojans' first home game since overcoming a 21-point deficit against Stanford on Jan. 18. USC has won its first three Pac-12 contests at the Galen Center.
"That was a good win," said USC coach Andy Enfield. "We started slow. But we held them to 32% shooting. When you can't shoot, you [play] better defense. I'm proud how our team stayed in the game and defended for 40 minutes."
After starting the second half down 29-23, the Trojans found themselves back in a nine-point deficit before Elijah Weaver's 3-pointer with 12:22 sparked a 13-0 run. Weaver scored seven points during the stretch, which was capped off by an and-one from Rakocevic that put USC up 43-40 at the 6:34 mark.
TROJANS LEAD!@___ewr caps off a 10-0 run for USC!
— USC Men's Basketball (@USC_Hoops) January 31, 2020
📺: FS1 pic.twitter.com/thAAYQUINi
From there, the Trojans and Utes (12-7, 3-4 Pac-12) found themselves in a neck-and-neck battle to the finish line.
Following Mathews' set of free throws that tied the game at the start of the final minute, the Trojans fouled Branden Carlson, who missed both foul shots. Okongwu missed a layup on USC's counter before Rakocevic followed it up with his game-deciding tip.
"I saw Onyeka go to the basket with his left hand, but it looked off, he was leaning to the left," Rakocevic said. "I got a lucky bounce and go an easy tip-in. I was in the right place at the right time."
Controlling the ball with 20 seconds left, Utah had one last chance to swing the game. Okongwu shined in the final stretch by blocking Timmy Allen's layup attempt, tying up the ball for a jump-ball possession to USC and sinking the game's last two free throws.
Allen had 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Utes.
The Trojans struggled to shoot all night, only hitting 37.3% of their field goals. USC started the first half 8-of-23 but forced 10 turnovers in the second half and held Utah scoreless in over six minutes to force its way back in the game.
The Trojans' next Pac-12 home test is Saturday against No. 20 Colorado. Click Here to purchase tickets to 2019-20 USC home games.
Galen Center Honors Kobe
Prior to the game, the Trojans honored late NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna by leaving two courtside seats open and laying two USC jerseys — No. 24 and No. 2 — with sets of flowers on top of each chair. The Trojans recognized all nine victims from the Jan. 26 helicopter crash in Calabasas and observed a 24.8-second moment of silence before the National Anthem. USC students received a Kobe Bryant tribute shirt upon entrance.
"Today was a special day," Weaver said. "Playing for Kobe we weren't losing today. Whenever I shoot anything, a balled up paper, I yell out 'Kobe.'"
At tonight's @USC_Hoops game, we honored Kobe Bryant, Gigi Bryant and the seven other victims of Sunday's tragedy with a 24.8 second moment of silence. #FightOnForever pic.twitter.com/krbHTFVAPy
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) January 31, 2020
