Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Alex Stepheson recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds as the USC Trojans posted a 60-56 win over the Washington State Cougars in a Pac-10 battle at the Galen Center. Nikola Vucevic responded with a double-double of his own for the Trojans (9-6, 1-1 Pac-10) with 12 points and a game-high 11 rebounds as the team won for the third time in the last four outings. Donte Smith contributed 14 points, shooting 4-of-8 behind the three-point line, off the bench.
The Cougars (10-4, 0-2) were paced by DeAngelo Casto with 18 points and eight boards, while Klay Thompson logged 17 points and a team-best 10 rebounds, but he shot just 6-of-18 from the floor in the team's third straight setback. WSU took an early lead in the meeting, but it was short-lived due to the squad's mere 30 percent shooting from the floor in the first half. The Trojans knocked down only 3-of-10 behind the three-point line in the period, yet the hosts still played well enough to grab a 26-22 lead at the break.
In the second half Smith connected on all three of his three-point tries for USC in just eight minutes of work, guiding the Trojans to the four-point victory. The difference in the meeting took place at the free-throw line where USC outscored the Cougars, 11-6. USC has eight days off until hosting UCLA next Sunday night.
For more news and notes regarding USC basketball, check out SBN's Conquest Chronicles.