No. 24 USC Men's Basketball Cruises Past Dixie State, 98-71, In Balanced Team Effort
LOS ANGELES — Boogie Ellis had 19 points and Max Agbonkpolo scored a career-high 17 off the bench as No. 24 USC men's basketball cruised to a 98-71 win on Monday night.
The Trojans (4-0), fresh off a sweep of a two-game road trip at Temple and Florida Gulf Coast, played just their second home game at Galen Center of the season. It was also USC's second home wire-to-wire victory of the season.
It was a balanced game for USC filled with several other individual superlatives. Chevez Goodwin continued his strong start to the season with a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double. Reese Dixon-Waters scored a career-high nine points after the freshman guard scored just five points total during the 2021-22 season.
Career-high 1️⃣6️⃣ points for @maxpolo15!
📺: @Pac12Network // https://t.co/gdKIHmCTP5 pic.twitter.com/oXOVS6l0Hj
— USC Men's Basketball (@USC_Hoops) November 23, 2021
Five total Trojans scored in double-digits and 11 recorded points. The Trojans had season-highs in points, field goals, 3-pointers and rebounds.
The Trojans faced little danger throughout the game and opened the night with a 22-5 run powered by four 3-pointers and several highlight buckets from Ellis. USC used its early cushion to experiment with different lineups as 11 Trojans entered the game within the first 12 minutes.
Get 🆙 then @BoogieEllis!
📺: @Pac12Network // https://t.co/gdKIHmCTP5 pic.twitter.com/BGrWodaelo
— USC Men's Basketball (@USC_Hoops) November 23, 2021
After trailing 47-36 in the first half, Dixie State (1-4) tried to rally in the second half. The Trail Blazers made their first four buckets and trimmed USC's lead to nine points. The Trojans broke out with a 19-6 run to make the game all but over.
Cameron Gooden and Frank Staine each scored 17 points for Dixie State. USC held the Trail Blazers to just 31.6% from the field while scoring at a 52.8% rate.
USC will play in the Paycom Wooden Legacy at the Anaheim Convention Center on Thanksgiving weekend, beginning with a first-round matchup against Saint Joseph's (2-2) on Thursday. The Trojans will face either Georgetown (2-1) or San Diego State (3-1) on Friday depending on the first-round results.
USC returns to the Galen Center on Dec. 1 to play its first conference game against Utah.