USC defeats Washington St 68-61

USC Pulls Off Upset Win Over Washington State at Home

In a tightly contested non-conference matchup, the University of Southern California men's basketball team edged out visiting Washington State 68-61 on Tuesday night at the Galen Center.

The difference in pace was evident from the start, with the home crowd watching as USC (5-2) jumped out to a 33-26 halftime lead. The Cougars (3-4), led by Rihards Vavers' 13 points, struggled to keep up, but Washington State's Tomas Thrastarson kept his team in the game with nine points and three assists.

In the second half, USC continued to assert its dominance, pushing their advantage out to as many as 16 points. Jacob Cofie led the charge with 21 points, including a clutch display of efficiency that allowed him to score from both inside and outside the paint. The senior center's 10 rebounds complemented his impressive scoring performance, making him an unstoppable force in the paint.

Washington State struggled to find its footing on offense, particularly behind the three-point line. Despite hitting 9-of-28 attempts (32%), the Cougars were unable to overcome their cold shooting and made just three of ten from beyond the arc. Eemeli Yalaho's six rebounds and 10 points were the team's only bright spots in a lackluster effort.

The final score was 7 points, a testament to USC's resilience and ability to close out games when it matters most. With this win, the Trojans move to 5-2 on the season while Washington State falls to 3-4.

Advanced statistics paint a similar picture, with USC boasting an edge in efficiency, rebounding, and limiting their turnovers while controlling the pace of the game. The home team's superior performance can be attributed to its experience playing at the Galen Center, where they've consistently dominated opponents this season.

The win marks a significant upswing for the Trojans' program and demonstrates their readiness for conference play. As the season unfolds, USC fans are optimistic about their team's chances of making a deep run in the Pac-12 tournament.

For Washington State, the loss serves as a wake-up call to regroup and refocus on finding consistency.