CSU Fullerton Titans vs Southern California Trojans Match Player Stats On Nov 10, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Nov 11, 2017

LOS ANGELES -- Stifling defense and 10 3-pointers powered No. 10 USC to an 84-42 rout of Cal State Fullerton in Friday's season opener at Galen Center.

USC (1-0) held Cal State Fullerton to just 23.3 percent shooting and turned 21 turnovers into 17 points. USC complemented that effort with 41.7 percent shooting from 3-point range.

Six Trojans made 3-pointers, paced by guard Derryck Thornton's trey off the bench. Forwards Chimezie Metu and Bennie Boatwright made two each.

The pace was set early when, after missing a few looks near the rim, USC scored its first two baskets from long range. The Trojans took the lead then and never trailed.

The junior forward Metu led all scorers with 18 points and grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds to go with two blocked shots. Metu's interior presence helped USC to a 28-18 advantage in points in the paint, and he was also 2-of-2 at the free-throw line. USC shot 72 percent from the line as a team.

Boatwright scored 13 points, blocked three shots and grabbed six rebounds, while Thornton's 11 points led USC's total of 24 off the bench.

Guards Jordan McLaughlin and Jonah Mathews added 12 and 11 points, respectively, rounding out USC's five double-figure scoring performances. McLaughlin also dished a game-high six assists and pulled in six rebounds.

Guard Shaqquan Aaron scored seven points before fouling out.

Forward Jackson Rowe led Cal State Fullerton (0-1) with 12 points and eight rebounds. Guard Khalil Ahmad scored nine points and grabbed six rebounds. Guard Kyle Allman and forward Arkim Robertson both scored five points.

NOTES: The 21 Cal State Fullerton turnovers USC forced were the most for a Trojans' team since generating 23 against Wichita State in November 2015. ... Cal State Fullerton's 23.3 field-goal percentage marked the Titans' worst since shooting 25.6 percent from the floor on Nov. 25, 2016, vs. Jacksonville State. ... USC F Chimezie Metu recorded his eighth career double-double. ... USC's 41.7 percent shooting from 3-point range outpaced the Trojans' cumulative field-goal percentage of 41.2.