PALM DESERT, California – USC Men’s Basketball (5-2) opened the Acrisure Classic in Palm Desert by taking on the Saint Mary’s College Gaels. Despite the Trojans’ strong start, they were unable to regroup in the second half as they lost to the Gaels 71-36.

“We have a lot to do,” said head coach Eric Musselman. “I am extremely disappointed in so many areas. Hopefully we’ll come out tomorrow and play a lot better basketball. We really struggled offensively and defensively. Aside from limiting ourselves to just 10 turnovers, there wasn’t much positive to take away from that side of the ball.

Saint Mary’s came out quickly, scoring on their first three baskets. The Trojans responded with four field goals of their own, giving the Gaels a lead of just one. The first half continued to be a tough battle between these two teams. When the Trojans made a basket, the Gaels responded. And the same thing would go the other way too. In this half alone the lead changed ten times before anyone was able to assert themselves. Unfortunately for the Trojans, it was the Gaels who got hot. Saint Mary’s went on a 14-2 run that led to USC heading to the locker room trailing by 11 with the score at 32-21 in favor of the Gaels.

Saint Mary’s picked up where they left off as the Trojans couldn’t find a rhythm on offense. No matter what Southern California did, they couldn’t stop a single shot for seven minutes as Saint Mary’s continued to add points to the scoreboard. When USC was able to find success on offense, the Gaels’ lead was too big to cut as USC lost to Saint Mary’s 71-36.

NOTEWORTHY

• This is the seventh straight game in which USC changed its starting lineup. The starting five tonight included (F) Josh Cohen(F) Terrance Williams II(F) Matt Knowling(F) Saint Thomasand (G) Desmond Claude.
• (G) Chibuzo Agbo surpassed 1,000 career points on Thursday evening. Agbo finished the game with eight points and now has a total of 1,001 career points. Additionally, Agbo led the Trojans in rebounding with five balls.
• Josh Cohen became the first Trojan to score double figures in four games this season (UT Arlington, Idaho State, Grambling and now Saint Mary’s).
• With 12 points tonight, Josh Cohen officially exceeded 1,700 career points (1,710 total).
• Kevin Patton Jr. recorded his third dunk of the season on Thursday night, throwing down a dunk within two minutes of coming off the bench.
• The Trojans shot just 26 percent from the field against Saint Mary’s and were 13-50.
• USC failed to make a shot from distance on Thursday and took a 12-0 lead against the Gaels.
• USC is now 0-1 in countable games at Acrisure Arena. The Trojans defeated Gonzaga 96-93 in a preseason exhibition game on October 26 of this year.

NEXT

The Trojans will be back in action tomorrow, Nov. 29, at Acrisure Arena when they play New Mexico in the consolation game to determine who will finish in third place. Fans can catch the action at 9:00 p.m. PT on truTV/MAX.