USC Men's Basketball Outlasts Idaho State 75-69

Thursday, November 7

Los Angeles, Calif.

7:00 p.m.

USC

2-0,0-0Big Ten

Idaho State

0-2,0-0Big Sky

Idaho St.

Southern California

Photo by: USC Athletics 2024

USC Men's Basketball Outlasts Idaho State 75-69

November 07, 2024 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score Highlights Press Conference Postgame Notes and Quotes

Trojans improve to 2-0 on the season.

LOS ANGELES – USC men's basketball survived an early season thriller against Idaho State Thursday night, defeating the Bengals 75-69 at the Galen Center.

The Trojans started out hot, racing out to a seven-point lead, but a Bengals surge at the end of the first half closed the lead to just three points at the break. The two teams battled through the second half, trading off the lead until graduate forward Saint Thomas hit a three-point dagger to give the Trojans a four-point advantage. Sophomore guard Wesley Yates III's final second steal and free-throws sealed the deal to give USC the win.

"I'm feeling very good about this team," Thomas said. "I've said since the start that I think we can make a run late in March Madness, but it starts with just being disciplined."

Thomas' late-game heroics capped off a solid night for the forward. He led the Trojans in assists (nine) and rebounds (seven) to go along with 10 points while sitting just 15 seconds the entire game. Thomas was joined in the double-digit points by Yates III (13) and graduate forward Josh Cohen, who led the team with 19 points.

The Trojan defense also shined, forcing 17 turnovers for 18 points. USC had their struggles during the second game of the season, shooting 43 percent from the field, but just 25 percent from beyond the arc and 65 percent from the line. The Trojans also struggled on the glass, finishing -15 against the Bengals.

"We have to rebound the ball better, that's plain and simple," Musselman said. "[But] there were some positives, with our 20 assists. That's a lot of assists in a college basketball game."

The Trojans will have the weekend off before they prepare to host UT Arlington on Wednesday, Nov. 13. Tipoff will take place at 8:00 p.m. PT at the Galen Center. The game will air on the Big Ten Network.