USC Men’s Basketball Triumphs in Thrilling Homecoming Against No. 13 Illinois

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – USC Men’s Basketball (10-6, 2-3 Big Ten) concluded their excursion in the Midwest facing off against No. 13 Illinois. The Trojans aimed to head back to Los Angeles victorious, and they succeeded in achieving that as they attained their initial ranked away win since 2010 by overcoming the Illini 82-72.
 
HOW IT TRANSPIRED
Illinois was the first to score with a slam dunk, but the Trojans quickly responded. USC bounced back with consecutive shots from Desmond Claude and Chibuzo Agbo. USC contained the Illini to a shooting percentage of 1-of-8 for the first seven minutes, enabling the Trojans to maintain a seven-point lead. In the final three minutes of the half, the Illini began to fight back against the Trojans as they pulled within one point. By the time halftime arrived, the Illini had taken the lead as USC trailed by two with a score of 38-35.
 
 Once the second half commenced, the Trojans emerged with renewed intensity making four of their first five shots to equalize the game. With Claude contributing 21 points in the second half, USC gradually moved ahead of the Illini, establishing a four-point lead with 13 minutes remaining in the contest. The Illini attempted to rally, but each effort was met with a swift counter from the Trojans. USC made six consecutive baskets to build a 10-point advantage over Illinois with five minutes left in the game. Regardless of Illinois’s attempts, USC maintained their lead as they exited the State Farm Center with an 82-72 triumph over the No. 13 Illini.
 
IMPORTANT HIGHLIGHTS

• Three Trojans achieved double-digit scoring on Saturday – Desmond Claude (31), Wesley Yates III (15) and Rashaun Agee (13). 
• Desmond Claude excelled for the Trojans tonight, finishing his sixth game of the season with 20 or more points. He concluded the game with a season-high of 31 points, the highest by any Trojan this season.
• Wesley Yates III ended the first half shooting at a perfect 100 percent from the field. This marks the second instance in three games where he achieved this, and also the fourth consecutive game in which Yates finished with double-digit scoring.

• USC restricted Illinois to just 24 defensive rebounds and a total of 34 boards on Saturday. Prior to this match, the Illini ranked No. 1 in the NCAA in rebounds per game (45.9), rebound margin (+13.3) and defensive rebounds per game (32.5).
• The Trojans outperformed Illinois in the paint with a score of 46-30 and earned 12 second-chance points compared to the Illini’s nine. 
• USC achieved a season-high of five dunks against Illinois. 
• Agee and Saint Thomas both secured eight rebounds, including seven defensive boards from Thomas. 
• Chibuzo Agbo tallied nine points, four rebounds, three assists, and an impressive three steals against the Illini. 
• This victory over the No. 13 Illini marked the first instance the Trojans triumphed against a ranked foe on the road since December 21, 2010, when USC defeated No. 19 Tennessee 65-64. 

QUOTABLES
Coach Eric Musselman on the significance of this victory for the team…
“It was the grit and the effort. These players were rewarded because they work incredibly hard night in and night out. Today serves as a reward for all their efforts when we’ve fallen short.”
 
Coach Eric Musselman on the strategy for the game against Illinois…
“Our aim was to dictate the tempo, meaning no three-pointers in transition and no mid-range pull-ups during fast breaks. We wanted to run with Illinois, but for layups and dunks. If no layups or dunks were available, we would pull the ball back. And that’s precisely what we accomplished.”
 
Coach Eric Musselman on USC’s future direction…
“We’re progressing in the right direction. Sometimes losses can be frustrating. However, this team consistently plays hard. We put in maximum effort, and that’s all one can ask as a team—to compete with great energy, enthusiasm, and effort. We do that, even in our losses.”
 
UP NEXT
The Trojans will head back to the Galen Center this week on Tuesday, Jan. 14, to face off against the University of Iowa Hawkeyes. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. For those unable to attend the event in Los Angeles, they can catch the action on FS1 or tune in via ESPN LA 710.