Undefeated men’s basketball defeats CSUN


The USC men’s basketball team continued their hot start to the season with a 96-61 victory over the visiting Cal State University, Northridge Matadors (2-3). Ten different players scored for the Trojans as the team dominated from start to finish.

The Trojans exploded out the gate en route to an early 17-5 lead. Behind some great ball movement and hot shooting from beyond the three-point line, the Trojans increased their lead to as much as 26 points in the first half.

Both guard Jordan McLaughlin and forward Katin Reinhardt started the game a perfect 3-3 from beyond the arc. As a team, the Trojans shot 53 percent from three in the first half.

The Matadors, who only played seven players, struggled to keep up with the size and speed of the Trojan offense. USC out rebounded the Matadors 25-16 in the first half and assisted on their first 11 shots to start the game. The Trojans took a 46-26 lead into the half.

Things didn’t get any better for the Matadors in the second half as the Trojans continued to put on an offensive clinic. The Trojans’ hot shooting carried over to the second half as the team pushed their lead to as much as 35 points.

Jason Richardson led the Matadors with 18 points on 7-18 shooting. The Matadors struggled as a team from the field, shooting just 36.8 percent for the game, while going 1-13 from downtown.

After starting last season 1-3, the Trojans seem much more poised and comfortable with each other. The Trojans have now scored more than 80 points in all four games this season, a feat they only accomplished eight times last season. It appears that head coach Andy Enfield finally has all pieces together for his space and pace offense.

“We emphasize playing team basketball,” Reinhardt said. “If someone’s open make the extra pass. That’s how good team win.”

McLaughlin led all scorers with 20 points on 70 percent shooting and Reinhardt chipped in 17 points off the bench for the Trojans. Fellow guard Julian Jacobs flirted with a triple double, finishing with six points, 10 assists and 11 rebounds.

“I think our entire guard rotation has played at a high level,” Enfield said. “We’re sharing the basketball. We had 26 assists tonight, and we’re hitting open shots.”

Freshman Bennie Boatwright continued to show why he was a top recruit out of high school as he finished with 12 points and six rebounds. Fellow freshman Chimezie Metu finished with five points, five rebounds and three blocks. Metu is now averaging 3.75 blocks per game on the season.

The Trojans finished with 26 assists on 37 made baskets. The Trojans also out-rebounded the Matadors 57-34 en route to 25 second chance points.

The Trojans will now head to Orlando, Florida, to take part in the AdvoCare Invitational. USC will face their toughest challenge of the young season against No. 20 Wichita State on Thursday. The game will be aired on ESPN at 11 a.m.