USC Rides 14 3-Pointers To 84-67 Victory Over Utah

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jonah Mathews scored 17 points and Southern California made a season-high 14 3-pointers in beating Utah 84-67 on Sunday night.

The Trojans (13-6, 4-2 Pac-12) completed a weekend sweep, having routed Colorado by 19 points.

It was just as easy against the Utes (10-7, 2-4), who were led by Justin Bibbins with 19 points, all in the second half. They hit consecutive 3-pointers to open the game for their only lead.

Then the rout was on.

USC raced to a 32-11 lead, making eight 3-pointers by four different players in the run. The Trojans shot 60 percent from long range on the way to a 46-22 halftime lead. They had balanced scoring, too, with Shaqquan Aaron, Jordan McLaughlin and Elijah Stewart each chipping in nine points.

The Utes were plagued by 32 percent shooting — making just eight field goals — and 11 turnovers that led to 15 points by the Trojans in the half.

USC kept up its sharpshooting in the second half.

Bennie Boatwright, who had just two points in the first half, scored eight of USC's first 11 points, extending the lead to 57-32.

From there, Boatwright and Jonah Mathews combined for nine straight points, making it 66-39. Mathews hit the Trojans' 13th 3-pointer and McLaughlin made their 14th

Bibbins had five of the Utes' 10 3-pointers. Jayce Johnson added 14 points and nine rebounds.

USC's McLaughlin finished with 14 points and Boatwright had 13 points.

BIG PICTURE

Utah: The Utes ended a lost weekend in Los Angeles, having been beaten by 19 points at UCLA. Now they're in the lower tier of the league standings and have to face third-place Washington this week with first-place Arizona looming on Jan. 27.

USC: The Trojans cruised to two easy wins and moved into a tie for second in the Pac-12 with UCLA.

UP NEXT

Utah: At Washington on Thursday and at Washington State next Sunday.

USC: At Oregon on Thursday and at Oregon State on Saturday.

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