Colorado Buffaloes Escape The USC Trojans In Los Angeles, 83-74

Feb 16, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Colorado Buffaloes forward Xavier Johnson (2) is defended by Southern California Trojans center Omar Oraby (55) in the first half at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Buffs Escape Trojans With Eighth Conference Win

The Colorado Buffaloes (19-7, 8-5 in Pac-12 play) came into Los Angeles looking for a much-needed win and they got it. They would defeat the USC Trojans by the final score of 83-74 while collecting their eighth conference win this season.

The Buffaloes received a spark off of the bench in the first-half in Jaron Hopkins. Hopkins would go 3-of-5 from the field, knocking down 2-of-3 shots from deep with 10 points. The Buffaloes would shoot 15-of-28 from the field, 53.6% percent and 5-of-10 from downtown, 50.0% percent. Hopkins would also accumulate 2 out of Colorado’s 5 steals.

The USC Trojans on the other hand were sloppy with the ball which resulted in them trailing at the half, 40-32. They would commit 12 turnovers to Colorado’s 6 as Omar Oraby would turn it over three times for USC. Byron Wesley led the way for them going into the half, knocking down 3-of-6 shots for 8 points. They struggled from long-range just converting one of their five three-point shots.

In the second-half, the Buffs would go on a 11-2 run that ended around the 12:00 minute mark as Xavier Johnson sparked the charge. Johnson would finish the game with 20 points on 6-of-11 shooting, including 4 rebounds and 1 assist. Johnson however would foul-out of the game in the final minute.

Xavier Talton continues to be a solid replacement for Spencer Dinwiddie. Talton would tie a career-high in 14 points on 4-of-5 shooting, knocking down two three-pointers to go along with 7 rebounds and 3 assists. Colorado would have difficulty putting the Trojans away late as they were sloppy and playing not to lose.

Byron Wesley would put together another solid performance for the Trojans who were without a key scorer in Pe’Shon Howard. Wesley would shoot 6-of-14 from the field, knocking down 8-of-10 free-throw attempts while finishing with 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals.

Five Colorado Buffaloes finished in double-figures in the scoring column led by Xavier Johnson with 20. Right behind him was Askia Booker who shot 7-of-16 form the field, collecting 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists. Josh Scott put together a solid effort in the post, scoring 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting, collecting 9 rebounds and 1 steal.

Buffaloes power forward Wesley Gordon would return to the line-up but his minutes were limited after an ankle injury he suffered in practice. He wouldn’t record a point but wold collect 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal.

The Buffaloes (19-7, 8-5 in Pac-12 play) will return to action on Wednesday night at the Coors Event Center as they host the Arizona State Sun Devils. Tip-off is scheduled for 11:00 PM ET, 9:00 PM MT.