The USC Trojans concluded their non-conference schedule on Thursday night with a 63-47 loss to the No. 12 Kansas Jayhawks. With the announcement on campus earlier Thursday that quarterback Matt Barkley would return for his senior season for the Trojans' football team, there was a buzz and excitement at Galen Center. Unfortunately for the USC, there were also several Jayhawks fans in attendance.
USC (5-8) suffered from its all-too-usual combination of poor shooting and turnovers in Thursday's loss, as they shot just 34.7% and committed 18 turnovers. USC scored just 13 points in the first half. Trojans center Dewayne Dedmon was a non-factor, limited to just two points and two rebounds in 20 minutes with foul trouble.
The Trojans shot under 40% for the sixth time in 13 games this season , and they have shot 36.4% or worse in four of their last five contests. Aaron Fuller led the Trojans with 19 points. Maurice Jones scored seven points but made just two of 13 field goals.
Elijah Johnson scored 14 points to lead Kansas in the win. Thomas Robinson scored 10 points and grabbed nine rebounds for the Jayhawks, and Jeff Withey chipped in nine points and nine rebounds.
This was the final non-conference game of the season for USC, who opens their Pac-12 schedule on Thursday, December 29 at the California Golden Bears. Hopefully for the Trojans, they will fare better in conference play in what looks to be one of the worst years in the Pac-12 Conference in recent memory. Pac-12 teams are 0-11 this season against top 25 teams.
For more USC basketball news and information, be sure to read Conquest Chronicles.