Jacob Cofie recorded a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds and Chad Baker-Mazara came alive in the second half to help Southern California hold off Washington State 68-61 on Sunday in Los Angeles.
USC (10-1) never trailed, but the Trojans nearly squandered a 16-point lead as Washington State loomed in striking distance throughout the second half.
The Cougars (3-8) were within a one-score margin multiple times in the second half, including with 2:39 remaining in regulation when Rihards Vavers connected on a 3-pointer to bring the score to 61-58.
USC answered with a 7-0 run to put the game away, ignited when Baker-Mazara found Jaden Brownell cutting on the baseline for an open layup. The Trojans held Washington State without a basket for 2:30 and converted their stops into five made free throws that iced the win.
Southern California shot 27 of 34 from the free-throw line, helping to offset a dismal night shooting from the floor. The Trojans went 20 of 50 (40%) on field-goal attempts, compared to Washington State’s 21-of-53 (39.6%), and USC finished just 1 of 13 (7.7%) from beyond the 3-point arc.
Baker-Mazara was a perfect 11 of 11 at the foul line while shooting only 4 of 13 from the floor. Ezra Ausar knocked down 9 of 11 at the charity stripe on the way to 13 points.
Washington State got 13 points from Vavers, including 3-of-6 shooting from long distance. Emmanuel Ugbo shot 2 of 3 from 3-point range, and Eemeli Yalaho made 2 of 6 behind the arc to finish with 10 points.
The Cougars used their long ball to spark their big, first-half comeback, knocking down two triples after USC built a 33-17 lead. Washington State held the Trojans scoreless for the ensuing 3:32 before intermission to trail 33-26 and did not surrender a field goal until almost three minutes into the second half.
Cofie buoyed USC during early offensive lulls, scoring 14 of his game-high 21 points in the first half. He also grabbed seven of his rebounds before the break.
