No. 24 USC Men's Basketball Stifles San Diego State, 58-43, To Win Wooden Legacy Championship
Captain Isaiah Mobley recorded his first double-double of the season with 18 points and 12 rebounds as No. 24 USC men's basketball locked down San Diego State, 58-43, to claim the Paycom Wooden Legacy championship on Friday night in Anaheim.
It was the Trojans' second time winning the Wooden Legacy. USC won the inaugural edition of the Thanksgiving weekend tournament in 2007.
"She's so pretty" 🏆 pic.twitter.com/q4PuX5IiXu
— USC Men's Basketball (@USC_Hoops) November 27, 2021
Mobley was named the Wooden Legacy Tournament Most Valuable Player. Mobley was also named to the All-Tournament Team along with fellow Trojans Boogie Ellis and Drew Peterson.
Peterson scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half. Ellis had just two points — his lowest total of the season — but was a plus-15 in 34 minutes on the court. Chevez Goodwin added 10 points and five rebounds.
USC (6-0) passed a critical non-conference test in San Diego State (4-2) in a quality win that will certainly be factored into NCAA Tournament seeding considerations in March.
The Trojans met the Aztecs in a defensive showdown and won the game despite shooting just 42.1%, making six of 18 free throws and going on several significant scoring droughts throughout the game.
USC held San Diego State to 32.1% shooting and allowed three 3-pointers on 17 attempts. The Trojans held Aztecs leading scorer Matt Bradley to just three points on 1-of-7 shooting and got him into foul trouble throughout the game.
The Trojans missed eight of their first nine field-goal attempts and conceded a 7-3 lead to the Aztecs to open the game. Ellis had a fadeaway jumper and Mobley nailed a step-back 3-pointer to put the Trojans on a 7-0 run and gain the lead.
USC takes the lead on a triple from @MobleyIsaiah!
7️⃣-0️⃣ run for the Trojans!
📺: ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/6Vfxr45OWD
— USC Men's Basketball (@USC_Hoops) November 27, 2021
After two free throws from San Diego State, USC used an 8-0 run to go into halftime with a seven-point lead.
Led by Peterson, the Trojans improved their shooting to 51.9% in the second half and never let the Aztecs back into the game despite going on a five-minute scoring drought midway in the period.
Trojans taking over! 🔥@Drewpeterson23 gives USC its largest lead of the game.
📺: ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/uA15coccAv
— USC Men's Basketball (@USC_Hoops) November 27, 2021
Trey Pulliam had a team-high 11 points for San Diego State.
USC opens Pac-12 play hosting Utah on Wednesday. The Trojans travel to Washington State on Dec. 4 before resuming non-conference play.
Postgame interview with the Tournament MVP! pic.twitter.com/P7oYApRobe
— USC Men's Basketball (@USC_Hoops) November 27, 2021