LOS ANGELES – USC basketball fans had reason to cheer as the Trojans edged past the No. 6 ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs in a thrilling charity exhibition game at Acrisure Arena on Saturday, Oct. 26. While brothers Kevin and Kallai Patton, local talents hailing from Murrieta, who attended Rancho Christian High School, didn’t take the court, their presence in the USC camp underscored the depth and potential of this Trojans team.
Leading the charge for USC was grad transfer Terrance Williams II, who put up an impressive 20 points. His efforts were complemented by Chibuzo Agbo, who not only scored 15 points but also dominated the boards with seven rebounds. Desmond Claude added 19 points, while Josh Cohen and Matt Knowling chipped in with 13 each, rounding off a balanced offensive display that saw five Trojans reaching double figures.
On the Gonzaga side, Arkansas grad transfer Khalif Battle stood tall with a 20-point performance, battling against his former coach Eric Musselman. Despite his efforts, the Bulldogs found themselves on the back foot for much of the game. USC maintained control for nearly 30 minutes, edging Gonzaga 34-32 in rebounds and limiting them to 40.9% shooting from beyond the arc. USC’s defense was highlighted by five blocked shots, which played a crucial role in stifling Gonzaga’s offense.
A defining moment came with a rapid 10-0 scoring run that catapulted the Trojans to a double-digit lead early in the second half. The team extended their advantage to 11 points, leading 61-50 with just under 11 minutes remaining. While the Bulldogs mounted a comeback attempt, USC’s offense proved too potent, culminating in a 96-93 victory.
This win marked the end of an undefeated preseason for USC, who finished 2-0. The Trojans’ performance is a promising sign ahead of the official 2024-25 season opener, which sees them hosting UT-Chattanooga at the Galen Center on Monday, Nov. 4, at 7 p.m. This game is the first in a six-game homestand for Troy, offering fans ample opportunity to witness their team’s exceptional form.
USC’s influence extends beyond college basketball, as demonstrated by the presence of 11 former Trojans on NBA rosters at the start of the 2024-25 season. Notably, Drew Peterson received his 2024 NBA Championship ring with the Boston Celtics, and Onyeka Okongwu posted a career-high 28 points on opening night. In a historic moment, Bronny James joined his father, 22-year NBA veteran LeBron James, to become the first father-son duo to play together in an NBA game.
With such strong performances both on and off the college court, the USC Trojans are poised for a compelling season ahead. Fans and analysts alike will keep a close eye on their progress as they aim to build on this impressive victory over one of the nation’s top-ranked teams.
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