TCU Drops Road Decision At USC, 83-59
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LOS ANGELES—TCU suffered its second straight setback, and its first this season in a true road contest, Monday evening to USC, 83-59, at the Trojans’ Galen Center.
The loss dropped the Horned Frogs’ season record to 7-4 overall. USC improved to 5-7 while snapping a three-game losing streak.
The Frogs, trying to become the first TCU squad to winthree consecutive road non-conference contests in since the 1942-43 season, ran into a tough matchup against a Trojan squad that played its best game of the season. USC shot 50.9 percent from the field and drilled 8-of-17 attempts from 3-point range, while its 83 points eclipsed the squad’s previous season high set against Cal State Northridge (66) by 17 points.
While the Trojans’ offensive effort was sharp, the squad also was opportunistic on the defensive end of the court, taking advantage of a sloppy TCU performance. The Frogs turned the ball over 20 times compared toonly five miscues for USC, which resulted in a 24-2 Trojan scoring advantage. The five turnovers were the fewest for a TCU opponent in more than two seasons.
USC point guard Maurice Jones dealt the Frogs fits allevening, slicing his way through the TCU defense for game highs of 25 points and seven assists. He made 8-of-16 field-goal attempts and was 4-of-7 from 3-point range. Eighteen of Jones’ scoring total came in the first half while leading USC to a nine-point advantage at intermission.
Jones ability to penetrate the Frog defense opened several offensive opportunities for other Trojans, as center Dewayne Dedmon (14) and guards Byron Wesley (13) and Alexis Moore (12) each added double-figure performances.
Senior guard Hank Thorns led the Frogs in scoring with 12 points, while senior forward Craig Williams added 11 points and seven rebounds. Junior forward Connell Crossland totaled career highs of seven points and 11 boards in his most extensive playing time of the season (21 minutes). Junior forward Garlon Green chipped in nine points, five rebounds and a career-high four assists.
USC scored the game’s first five points and never trailed, leading by as many as 11 in the first half and nine at intermission, 42-33. The halftime break had no effect on slowing down the Trojans, who outscored TCU23-11 in the opening 10 minutes of the second period while extending their lead to 21 points.
TCU returns to Fort Worth to conclude its pre-holiday schedule Thursday, when it plays host to Grambling State. Tip-off from Daniel-Meyer Coliseum is scheduled for 7 p.m.
