USC breaks away from pesky Grambling State for fifth win

Chibuzo Agbo scored 21 points, Josh Cohen added 18 points and Southern California held off a tough effort from visiting Grambling State en route to an 80-69 Trojans win on Sunday in Los Angeles.

After exchanging the lead 20 times, USC (5-1) opened up a 12-point lead midway through the second half on the strength of a 14-0 run. Agbo knocked down a pair of 3-pointers, part of a 4-of-9 shooting night from beyond the arc for him, during the surge.

Grambling (1-4) responded with an 13-3 run that brought the Trojans lead back to a one-possession margin. A P.J. Eason dunk with 4:36 remaining in regulation brought the Tigers within 68-66.

Desmond Claude responded with a layup on the other end, and Agbo forced a turnover on the ensuing Grambling possession to set up his own score at the rim. The four quick Trojans points gave USC a cushion it maintained down the stretch.

Claude finished with 14 points, five rebounds and five assists. His swipe from Mikale Stevenson in the final minute and transition lay-in put the game away for USC, which closed its season-opening, six-game homestand with a pair of wins after last Sunday’s loss to Cal.

Grambling led for more than 13 minutes of game time and took a 38-37 lead into halftime, but the Tigers’ advantage never grew beyond five points. Grambling matched USC in both overall field goals made, with each knocking down 25, and 3-pointers, with seven apiece.

Six of the seven Tigers who scored made at least one 3-pointer, led by Kintavious Dozier’s 2-of-3 effort. Dozier scored a team-high 17 points to lead three Tigers in double figures. Stevenson added 14 points and dished 10 assists, while Antwan Burnett chipped in 13 points.

USC’s ultimate advantage came at the free-throw line. The Trojans got to the charity stripe for 33 attempts, making 23, while Grambling went 12-of-14 at the line.

–Field Level Media