The USC Trojans came into Saturday night losers of nine straight games and 12 of their last 13, limited to just six scholarship players on the active roster. Enter the Utah Utes, who came into the game somehow a 12-point underdog to the undermanned Trojans, and showed why in the first half, as USC took a 32-14 lead into halftime at Galen Center.
USC opened the game on a 16-4 run through just over 10 minutes. Greg Allen, starting his fifth game of the season, hit two three-pointers en route to six first-half points. Garrett Jackson scored nine points to lead the Trojans, who shot 48.1% (13 for 27) from the field in the opening 20 minutes.
The Trojans have averaged just 50.7 points per game during their nine-game losing streak, and are on pace Saturday for 64 points, a number they have only reached three times this season.
Chris Hines scored five points to lead Utah, who shot just 22.7% (five for 22) in the first half.
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