The USC Trojans finally got the monkey off their back on Saturday night at Galen Center, picking up their first Pac-12 victory of the season, a 62-45 win over the Utah Utes. The win snapped a nine-game losing streak for the Trojans, who were off to their worst start in Pac-12 Conference play since beginning the 1988-1989 season 0-12.
Garrett Jackson and Maurice Jones each led USC (6-16, 1-8) with 16 points. Byron Wesley added nine points and seven assists for the Trojans, who led by as many as 22 points in the second half. The Trojans got off to a 16-4 start in the first half and never looked back. USC shot 48% from the field, and committed only seven turnovers.
Dijon Farr had 12 points and eight rebounds to lead Utah (5-16, 2-7), who fell to 0-9 on the road this season, their first campaign in the Pac-12.
USC opens up the second half of their Pac-12 schedule with a weekend trip to the Pacific Northwest, beginning with a road battle Thursday night at Washington State.
For more USC basketball news and notes, be sure to read Conquest Chronicles.