College Basketball

Ellis sparks Southern Cal past Washington State 80-70

By AP

Southern California guard Drew Peterson, left, passes the ball as Washington State forward Mouhamed Gueye defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

By AP

Boogie Ellis scored 17 of his 23 points in the second half to offset a big night by Washington State’s Mouhamed Gueye and Southern California pulled away late for an 80-70 victory on Thursday night.

Ellis hit 5 of 9 from 3-point range, adding five rebounds and four assists for the Trojans (16-6, 8-3 Pac-12 Conference). Drew Peterson finished with 20 points, six rebounds and four assists. Peterson sank 8 of 13 shots, including 3 of 6 from beyond the arc. Tre White made 6 of 9 shots and scored 14.

Gueye, a sophomore, finished with a career-high 31 points for the Cougars (10-14, 5-8). He made 14 of 21 shots with a 3-pointer and grabbed 12 rebounds for his 10th double-double of the season. Justin Powell hit 3 of 4 from distance and scored 11.

Gueye hit his first six shots and his three-point play gave Washington State a 26-13 lead with 9:34 left in the first half. From there, Peterson scored eight of his 14 first-half points and the Trojans moved in front 37-35 at halftime.

Gueye scored the first two baskets of the second half and the Cougars grabbed a two-point lead. Gueye surpassed his career high with his 26th point on a dunk with 17:32 left to play and hit a hook shot against a double-team the next trip down the floor for a 43-40 Cougars’ lead. Ellis followed with a free throw and two 3-pointers to give USC a 49-47 lead with 14:20 remaining.

The Trojans stayed in front until Powell buried a 3-pointer to put the Cougars ahead 65-63 with 4:29 left. Peterson hit the second of two free throws, Kobe Johnson followed with a 3-pointer and the Trojans never trailed again. It was Johnson’s only shot of the game in 30 minutes of play. He missed the front end of a 1-and-1 free throw.

Andy Enfield picked up his 199th win in his 10th season at USC. The Trojans won their third straight game and avenged an 81-71 loss to the Cougars earlier this season. WSU hasn’t won at USC since 2015. The Trojans improved to 11-0 this season in games with a 7 p.m. (PST) or later tip-off.

UP NEXT

Washington State: The Cougars travel to play No. 9 UCLA on Saturday.

USC: The Trojans host Washington on Saturday.

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